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The Unspeakable Unknown
by Eliot SappingfieldGuardians of the Galaxy meets The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in this wild, warm-hearted, and hilarious sci-fi companion to A Problematic Paradox.Nikola Kross has battled aliens and won. But her father, who was kidnapped by evil extraterrestrials, is still missing, and now it's up to Nikola and her friends to find and rescue him before it's too late. He could be anywhere in the known universe, and they have little to go on except a desperate secret communication--"Kindly rescue me at your earliest convenience"--and an unhelpful clue that he's in a secure facility somewhere deep underground. But the extraterrestrials are still determined to capture Nikola. And if she gets abducted, she won't have to wonder where her father is . . . because she'll already be there. In this funny and exciting sequel, Nikola and her friends discover new and unexpected allies and come face-to-face with a strange and mysterious enemy, one so powerful and so dangerous, they dare not speak his name.
The Untold Stories of the Space Shuttle Program: Unfulfilled Dreams and Missions that Never Flew (Springer Praxis Books)
by Davide SivolellaIn September 1969, several months after the Apollo 11 lunar landing, President Richard M. Nixon established the Space Task Force to chart NASA’s path for the decades to come. This imaginative vision was shattered less than six months later when, on January 13, 1970, NASA Administrator Dr. Thomas Paine announced that, owing to funding cuts, only the reusable Space Shuttle could be afforded -- there would be no space station, no return to the Moon, and no missions to Mars. This is a story never before told about the missions and technologies that NASA had begun to plan but never fully realized. The book is a companion to the author’s previous two works on the Space Shuttle. Whereas the first two books showed how the Space Shuttle flew in space and what the program accomplished, this book explains what more the Space Shuttle could have achieved and how the space transportation system could have further matured if circumstances had been otherwise. A final chapter also discusses how some of these plans might be resurrected in future programs.
The Untold Story of Zama Zama Miners in South Africa: Unearthing Hope (Clinical Sociology: Research and Practice)
by Vidette BesterThis book results from a decade of in-depth research on the complexities of Zama Zama mining in South Africa, which has become a pressing issue of late. It critiques the overly simplistic portrayal of the miners negatively and as illegal immigrants. Through a sociological lens, this book explores the broader socio-economic conditions, the profound impact of South Africa&’s mining history, particularly the migrant labor system, on today&’s Zama Zama miners, and the role of women in the sector. This book is not just about mining; it interrogates issues around language, poverty, and power. It challenges dominant societal narratives and examines how labels can further marginalize vulnerable groups. Inspired by the works of Pierre Bourdieu and Michel Foucault on classification and language, the book questions who holds the power to label and shape mainstream discourses. Amplifying the voices of the Zama Zamas themselves, the book transforms the conversation around Zama Zama mining in South Africa and beyond, providing fresh insights into this complex and marginalized sector. This book is more than an original and insightful study on informal mining – it offers practical initiatives for businesses, government, and civil society to engage with and address this marginalized sector more sustainably.
The Unusual Mind of Vincent Shadow (Vincent Shadow #1)
by Tim KehoeVincent Shadow isn't particularly good at sports and is constantly being picked on by his classmates at Central Middle School. But it is Vincent's unusually creative mind that truly separates him from other kids his age. Vincent's top secret attic lab is crammed with toy prototypes --from Liquid Superballs to Bullz-I Basketballs and Sonic Snorkelz--and he has a sketch book filled with drawings of toys he still wants to build. So when a chance encounter with an eccentric toy inventor offers him the opportunity to go from unknown weird kid to toy inventor extraordinaire, Vincent realizes that playtime is over: it's time to get serious about toys.
The Unwanted Sound of Everything We Want: A Book About Noise
by Garret KeizerAn acclaimed writer investigates the hidden political, social, and environmental costs of that ancient phenomenon we call noise
The Upright Ape: A New Origin of the Species
by Aaron G. Filler“A neurosurgeon and evolutionary scholar presents a bold new theory on the early origins of the hominiform (human-like) primates . . . Thought-provoking.” —Kirkus ReviewsDrawing on such diverse antecedents as history, myth, and religion, as well as modern developments in biology and genetics, the author bravely questions and rejects the reigning scientific orthodoxy and shows how humans and apes may have had a common upright ancestor—an upright ape that walked on two legs much as we do now.“Fuller’s book is very interesting and well worth reading. His evaluation of this mid lumbar vertebrae fossil may well become the watershed opinion guiding future understanding of evolution. I highly recommend The Upright Ape.” —Compulsive Reader
The Upright Thinkers: The Human Journey from Living in Trees to Understanding the Cosmos
by Leonard MlodinowA few million years ago, our ancestors came down from the trees and began to stand upright, freeing our hands to create tools and our minds to grapple with the world around us. Leonard Mlodinow takes us on a passionate and inspiring tour through the exciting history of human progress and the key events in the development of science. In the process, he presents a fascinating new look at the unique characteristics of our species and our society that helped propel us from stone tools to written language and through the birth of chemistry, biology, and modern physics to today's technological world. Along the way he explores the cultural conditions that influenced scientific thought through the ages and the colorful personalities of some of the great philosophers, scientists, and thinkers: Galileo, who preferred painting and poetry to medicine and dropped out of university; Isaac Newton, who stuck needlelike bodkins into his eyes to better understand changes in light and color; and Antoine Lavoisier, who drank nothing but milk for two weeks to examine its effects on his body. Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Werner Heisenberg, and many lesser-known but equally brilliant minds also populate these pages, each of their stories showing how much of human achievement can be attributed to the stubborn pursuit of simple questions (why? how?), bravely asked. The Upright Thinkers is a book for science lovers and for anyone interested in creative thinking and in our ongoing quest to understand our world. At once deeply informed, accessible, and infused with the author's trademark wit, this insightful work is a stunning tribute to humanity's intellectual curiosity. (With black-and-white illustrations throughout.)From the Hardcover edition.
The Ups and Downs in Drug Design: Adventures in Medicinal Chemistry
by Victor E. MarquezThe Ups and Downs in Drug Design: Adventures in Medicinal Chemistry highlights the necessity for an integrative approach in medicinal chemistry and chemical biology. As medicinal chemistry is not a monolithic science, it is important to emphasize the other various disciplines that are required for successful drug design. This book presents the author’s own personal experience in this field and describes the "ups" and "downs" that come with drug discovery. It is an excellent companion text for graduate and postgraduate students who would like further insight into the parameters of drug design, including the challenges that come with the project. Key Features Illustrates "real-life" examples in medicinal chemistry Integrates the use of physical, chemical, and biological concepts that are important in drug design Highlights the "ups" and "downs" that come with drug discovery Aims to inspire students who may be struggling with the challenges and thought process in drug design Intends to be an excellent companion text for graduate and postgraduate students
The Upside-Down Book of Sloths
by Elizabeth ShreeveSlow, sleepy—and adorable. This playful and informative picture book follows the fascinating history of one of the world’s most beloved animals. Many find sloths cute, while some find them just plain bizarre. In The Upside-Down Book of Sloths, Elizabeth Shreeve uncovers their less-well-known evolutionary history and how they became the beloved—and unique—creatures of today. She pairs and compares the six extant modern species, like the pygmy sloth, the brown-throated sloth, and the ai, with their prehistoric counterparts, such as Thalassocnus, the tough seafaring sloth; Paramylodon, which had armor-like skin and walked on the sides of its feet; and Megatherium, which could weigh up to 8,000 pounds. She even reveals how modern sloths have adapted to hang upside down, how they learned to swim, and even how they poop! As entertaining as it is educational, The Upside-Down Book of Sloths offers a brilliant deep dive into sloths, their evolution, and their connections to our planet’s natural history—and future.
The Uranium Club: Unearthing the Lost Relics of the Nazi Nuclear Program
by Miriam E Hiebert Timothy W Koeth"Much as Marcel Proust spun out a lifetime of memories from the taste of a madeleine, The Uranium Club spins out the history of Nazi Germany's failed World War II atomic-bomb project by tracing the whereabouts of a small, blackened cube of Nazi uranium. It's a riveting tale of competing German ambitions and arrogant mistakes, a nonfiction thriller tracking teams of American scientists as they race to prevent Hitler from beating the United States to the atomic bomb." —Richard Rhodes, author of The Making of the Atomic BombTim Koeth peered into the crumpled brown paper lunch bag; inside was a surprisingly heavy black metal cube. He recognized the mysterious object instantly—he had one just like it sitting on his desk at home. It was uranium metal, taken from the nuclear reactor that Nazi scientists had tried—and failed—to build at the end of World War II. This unexpected gift, wrapped in a piece of paper inscribed with a few cryptic but crucial lines, would launch Koeth, a nuclear physicist and professor, and his colleague Miriam Hiebert, a cultural heritage scientist, on an odyssey to trace the tale of these cubes—two of the original 664 on which the Third Reich had pinned their nuclear ambitions. Part treasure hunt, part historical narrative, The Uranium Club winds its way through the back doors of World War II and Manhattan Project histories to recount the contributions of the men and women at the forefront of the race for nuclear power. From Werner Heisenberg and Germany's nuclear program to the Curies, the first family of nuclear physics, to the Allied Alsos Mission's infiltration of Germany to capture Nazi science to the renegade geologists of Murray Hill scouring the globe for uranium, the cubes are lodestars that illuminate a little-known—and hugely consequential—chapter of history.The cubes are physical testimony to the stories of the German failure, and the successful American program that launched the world into the modern nuclear age, and the lessons for modern science that the contrast in these two programs has to offer.
The Urban Ecologies of Divided Cities (Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation)
by John Nagle Amira Osman Sabyasachi TripathiThe book discusses how division affect the fabric of cities, and people’s sense of identity and agency, and are reflected in physical features, architecture, and urban planning. The question of divided cities represents a complex and multistranded urban Ecology—at once both social and spatial; it cannot be limited to a single science or discipline, such as social or spatial fields. This suggests integrated and cross- disciplinary understandings, as well as integrated or parallel approaches and solutions. Urban ecologies of division manifest in multiple forms. One of their most palpable expressions is conflict, with parallels around the world, and often with correlations in the spatial fabric. Violence in such contexts is often a surface expression of deeper socio-economic or ideological differences. Whether as a result of intervention by authority or by dissent between groups, a divided city inevitably becomes a place of conflict in various forms and intensity, eroding the joy of living and sense of collective belonging to the detriment of all. In effect, it erodes the collective advantage of being part of a more unified society. A city exists in collections of social structures which mutually form a society. A divided city implies divided social structures and, in consequence, a divided society. The papers compiled in this book present many case studies of divided cities, discussing the different causes of divisions and their effects on societies. Some of the causes can be linked to conflicts, wars, colonialism, or legislative political systems. In response to the serious challenges resulting from these divisions, the book aims to provide opportunities for new approaches and possibilities for new interventions and solutions, making it significant to urban planners, architects, and policymakers.
The Urban Naturalist: How to Make the City Your Scientific Playground
by Menno SchilthuizenA manifesto—and a field guide—for a new dawn of natural history, practiced by community scientists in their own urban jungle.Imagine taking your smartphone-turned-microscope to an empty lot and discovering a rare mason bee that builds its nest in empty snail shells. Or a miniature spider that hunts ants and carries their corpses around. With a team of citizen scientists, that&’s exactly what Menno Schilthuizen did—one instance in the evolutionary biologist&’s campaign to take natural science to the urban landscape where most of us live today. In this delightful book, The Urban Naturalist, Schilthuizen invites us to join him, to embark on a new age of discovery, venturing out as intrepid explorers of our own urban habitat—and maybe in the process do the natural world some good.Thanks to the open science revolution, real biological discoveries can now be made by anyone right where they live. Schilthuizen shows readers just how to go about making those discoveries, introducing them to the tools of the trade of the urban community scientist, from the tried and tested (the field notebook, the butterfly net, and the hand lens) to the newfangled (internet resources, low-tech gadgets, and off-the-shelf gizmos). But beyond technology, his book holds the promise of reviving the lost tradition of the citizen scientist—rekindling the spirit of the Victorian naturalist for the modern world.At a time when the only nature most people get to see is urban, The Urban Naturalist demonstrates that understanding the novel ecosystems around us is our best hope for appreciating and protecting biodiversity.
The Urban Rehabilitation of Post-Disaster Scapes (Disaster Resilience and Green Growth)
by Nerma Omićević Bojana Bojanić Obad ŠćitarociThis book provides the first extensive examination and analysis of the use of the urbanscape during the disaster process, by connecting its elements throughout disaster phases: the pre-disaster phase, consisting of reduction in form of prevention and mitigation; the disaster event phase, consisting of the disaster impact followed by the disaster effects; and the post-disaster phase, consisting of the post-disaster recovery. This work includes the analysis of 18 disaster case studies worldwide, of which 12 case studies are within the natural and 6 case studies within the man-made disaster category. The criteria for choosing these examples is based on the division into natural and man-made disaster subcategories and the period of their occurrence, from 1991 to 2021. The main purpose of this comparative analysis is to reveal the use of the urbanscape during the disaster process, through the role of its open public spaces during each disaster phase in both natural and man-made disaster categories. The book is a useful read for researchers and students of disaster management.
The Urban Soil Guide: A Field and Lab Manual
by Anna PaltsevaDelve into the fascinating world of soil science with "The Urban Soil Guide," a comprehensive manual designed for everyone from science beginners to seasoned horticulturists. Whether you're an introductory science student, a passionate gardener, a landscape designer, or a professional horticulturist, this guide is tailored for you. Packed with a variety of hands-on activities, this guide makes learning soil science both accessible and enjoyable. From simple experiments that can be performed in your kitchen to more advanced techniques, it offers a practical approach to understanding soil. Written by a soil scientist, this guide bridges the gap between professional knowledge and amateur enthusiasm. The Urban Soil Guide is versatile enough to serve as a textbook in botanical gardens and university classes, while also being an invaluable resource for amateurs. Choose activities that match your interest and level of expertise. Embark on your journey to becoming a soil expert with The Urban Soil Guide – your hands-on companion in the world of soil science.
The Urban Whale: North Atlantic Right Whales At The Crossroads
by Scott D. Kraus Rosalind M. RollandIn 1980 a group of scientists censusing marine mammals in the Bay of Fundy was astonished at the sight of 25 right whales. It was, one scientist later recalled, "like finding a brontosaurus in the backyard." Until that time, scientists believed the North Atlantic right whale was extinct or nearly so. The sightings electrified the research community, spurring a quarter century of exploration, which is documented here. <p><p> The authors present our current knowledge about the biology and plight of right whales, including their reproduction, feeding, genetics, and endocrinology, as well as fatal run-ins with ships and fishing gear. Employing individual identifications, acoustics, and population models, Scott Kraus, Rosalind Rolland, and their colleagues present a vivid history of this animal, from a once commercially hunted commodity to today's life-threatening challenges of urban waters. <p> Hunted for nearly a millennium, right whales are now being killed by the ocean commerce that supports our modern way of life. This book offers hope for the eventual salvation of this great whale.
The Urgent Need for Regulation of Satellite Mega-constellations in Outer Space (SpringerBriefs in Law)
by Scott MillwoodThis book calls for the urgent regulation of satellite mega-constellations in outer space, proposing a new model of “international regulatory coordination”, in order to ensure the sustainable balance of science and advanced telecommunications. We are currently witnessing expansion of the Internet off our planet. The proliferation of new space-based internet connectivity has been accompanied by much discussion about the potential impact on astronomy. Scientists are increasingly concerned that mega-constellations proposed by SpaceX, OneWeb, Amazon and Facebook, might wreak havoc on scientific research and transform our view of the stars. These commercial operators plan to launch hundreds of thousands of satellites into Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) in the coming decade, representing a 1000% increase on objects currently in orbit. This book examines this new space race in the context of historical rivalries, for it is clear that mega-constellations are being actively pursued by a US administration determined to dominate LEO as tensions with China rise. This creates a risk of interference with earth-based scientific activities that use optical and radio frequency techniques to study the universe. This book examines these developments in the context of the Outer Space Treaty (OST), which provides all States with the freedom of scientific investigation, exploration and use of outer space, while balancing this with obligations to avoid interference with the space activities of other States. It draws upon interviews with some of Europe’s leading astronomers in order to highlight the extent to which the issue will require legal and regulatory reform of mega-constellation licensing processes, to ensure the integrity of astronomical science is preserved. The race to dominate LEO also comes at a time when the monopolistic power of Facebook, Amazon and other TechGiants, is under renewed scrutiny in western democracies. The author argues that a new governance framework for launch and operational licenses is urgently required, in which impact risk assessments, scale and proportionality, and stakeholder consultation processes should play important roles. It is now vital that the astronomical community – whose skill-set does not generally involve leading regulatory strategies – engage with those who can support its leadership in exerting a renewed influence. The diplomacy of science, which played a vital role during the Cold War and the establishment of global commons, must be reinvigorated for the New Space era.. It is now vital that the astronomical community – whose skill-set does not generally involve leading regulatory strategies – engage with those who can support its leadership in exerting a renewed influence. The diplomacy of science, which played a vital role during the Cold War and the establishment of global commons, must be reinvigorated for the New Space era.. It is now vital that the astronomical community – whose skill-set does not generally involve leading regulatory strategies – engage with those who can support its leadership in exerting a renewed influence. The diplomacy of science, which played a vital role during the Cold War and the establishment of global commons, must be reinvigorated for the New Space era.. It is now vital that the astronomical community – whose skill-set does not generally involve leading regulatory strategies – engage with those who can support its leadership in exerting a renewed influence. The diplomacy of science, which played a vital role during the Cold War and the establishment of global commons, must be reinvigorated for the New Space era.. It is now vital that the astronomical community – whose skill-set does not generally involve leading regulatory strategies – engage with those who can support its leadership in exerting a renewed influence. The diplomacy of science, which played a vital role during the Cold War and the establishment of global commons, must be reinvigorated for the New Space era.. It is now vital that the astronomical community – whose s
The Urinary Proteome
by Alex J. RaiUrine is one of the most easily accessible biological samples, and it provides a treasure trove of molecules essential for clinical diagnostics. In The Urinary Proteome: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers review briefly the classical urine tests that are performed in the clinical laboratory and then delve into the state of the art methods for proteomic analysis using urine specimens. Featuring the most recent advances in sample preparation, data analysis, and methods and applications, the book contains a multitude of detailed methods, including procedural details for the identification and characterization of urine biomarkers, which hold great potential for the diagnosis and treatment of many different disease conditions. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, chapters present brief introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes highlighting tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and systematic, The Urinary Proteome: Methods and Protocols is an ideal guide for scientific researchers, clinical laboratorians, clinical and translational scientists, and others interested in the vital study of proteomics and biomarker discovery.
The Use Of Statistics In Forensic Science
by C. G. Aitken David A. StoneyDescribes ways of assessing forensic science evidence and the means of communicating the assessment to a court of law. The aim of this work is to ensure that the courts consider seriously the probability of the evidence of association.
The Use and Abuse of Biology: An Anthropological Critique of Sociobiology
by Marshall SahlinsA criticism of sociobiology by one of the world's foremost anthropologists.
The Use and Fate of Pesticides in Vegetable-Based Agro-Ecosystems in Ghana
by William Joseph NtowThe Use and Fate of Pesticides in Vegetable-based Agro-ecosystems in Ghana reviews current knowledge on pesticides use in vegetable farming in Ghana and establishes the fate of pesticides in situ in tropical vegetable-based agro-ecosystems as well as their environmental and public health impacts on selected population groups. A field survey showed
The Use and Storage of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) at Bayer CropScience
by The Use of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) at Bayer CropScienceThe use of hazardous chemicals such as methyl isocyanate can be a significant concern to the residents of communities adjacent to chemical facilities, but is often an integral part of the chemical manufacturing process. In order to ensure that chemical manufacturing takes place in a manner that is safe for workers, members of the local community, and the environment, the philosophy of inherently safer processing can be used to identify opportunities to eliminate or reduce the hazards associated with chemical processing. However, the concepts of inherently safer process analysis have not yet been adopted in all chemical manufacturing plants. The Use and Storage of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) at Bayer CropScience presents a possible framework to help plant managers choose between alternative processing options-considering factors such as environmental impact and product yield as well as safety- to develop a chemical manufacturing system. In 2008, an explosion at the Bayer CropScience chemical production plant in Institute, West Virginia, resulted in the deaths of two employees, a fire within the production unit, and extensive damage to nearby structures. The accident drew renewed attention to the fact that the Bayer facility manufactured and stores methyl isocyanate, or MIC - a volatile, highly toxic chemical used in the production of carbamate pesticides and the agent responsible for thousands of death in Bhopal, India, in 1984. In the Institute accident, debris from the blast hit the shield surrounding a MIC storage tank, and although the container was not damaged, an investigation by the U. S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board found that the debris could have struck a relief valve vent pipe and cause the release of MIC to the atmosphere. The Board's investigation also highlighted a number of weaknesses in the Bayer facility's emergency response systems. In light of these concerns, the Board requested the National Research Council convene a committee of independent experts to write a report that examines the use and storage of MIC at the Bayer facility. The Use and Storage of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) at Bayer CropScience also evaluates the analyses on alternative production methods for MIC and carbamate pesticides preformed by Bayer and the previous owners of the facility.
The Use of Algae in Human Health: From Traditional Medicine to Molecules with Therapeutic Interest (ISTE Invoiced)
by Joël FleurenceThe Use of Algae in Human Health explores the use of algae in traditional Asian medicine, for both preventive and curative purposes. The book looks at both historical and current uses, as algae is still used on an empirical basis in popular medicine in Asia. The first part of this book focuses on the integration of algae into the therapeutic practice of ethnomedicine. The second part focuses on molecules derived from algae, which include fucoidans, alginates, carrageenans and polyphenols; they have been described in the scientific literature as having therapeutic activities both in vitro and in vivo. These varied functions (antitumoral, antiviral, antibacterial, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant) are of major interest in human health. However, new drugs based on algal molecules are proving slow to develop. The book reviews the scientific, technological and economic obstacles that may explain why development is lagging.
The Use of Delft3D to Simulate the Deposition of Cohesive and Non-Cohesive Sediments in Irrigation Systems (IHE Delft PhD Thesis Series)
by Shaimaa Abd TheolSediment deposition threatens the performance of many irrigation systems. Because of the high impact on irrigation performance and crop production, many studies have been done on how to deal with sediment deposition. In this research, the Delft3D model, originally developed for hydro-morphologic modeling of rivers and estuaries, was adapted for the use in irrigation systems simulations and applied to different case studies. This research addresses two shortcomings of previous studies of sediments in irrigation systems. Firstly, while previous studies primarily used 1D models, this research uses a 2D/3D model. The use of 2D/3D models in irrigation systems is significant because the non-uniform flow around structures such as offtakes, weirs and gates, leads to asymmetric sedimentation patterns that are missed by 1D simulations. Secondly, whereas previous studies mostly considered non-cohesive sediments, this research simulates cohesive, non-cohesive and a mix of both sediment types. This is important for irrigation systems that draw water from natural rivers that carry a mix of cohesive and non-cohesive sediments. The findings of this research are important for irrigation system maintenance and gate operation. It is also essential for the development of canal operating plans that meet crop water requirements and at the same time minimizes sediment deposition by alternating gates.
The Use of Forensic Anthropology
by Robert B. Pickering David BachmanA forensic investigation requires a team of specialists from many different scientific fields of study along with legal and law enforcement specialists. In recent years, the range of cases on which forensic anthropologists have been consulted has expanded dramatically. The Use of Forensic Anthropology provides these professionals with guidelines fo
The Use of Nutrients in Crop Plants
by Nand Kumar FageriaPut Theory into PracticeScarcity of natural resources, higher costs, higher demand, and concerns about environmental pollution- under these circumstances, improving food supply worldwide with adequate quantity and quality is fundamental. Based on the author's more than forty years of experience, The Use of Nutrients in Crop Plants