Book Description
From cell division to heartbeat, clocklike rhythms pervade the activities of every living organism. The cycles of life are ultimately biochemical in mechanism but many of the principles that dominate their orchestration are essentially mathematical.
The Geometry of Biological Time describes periodic processes in living systems and their non-living analogues in the abstract terms of nonlinear dynamics. Enphasis is given in phase singularities, waves, and mutual synchronization in tissues composed of many clocklike units. Also provided are descriptions of the best-studied experimental systems such as chemical oscillators, pacemaker neurons, circadian clocks, and excitable media organized into biochemical and bioelectrical wave patterns in two and three dimensions. No theoretical background is assumed; the required notions are introduced through an extensive collection of pictures and easily understood examples. This extensively updated new edition incorporates the fruits of two decades' further exploration guided by the same principles. Limit cycle theories of circadian clocks are now applied to human jet lag and are understood in terms of the molecular genetics of their recently discovered mechanisms. Supercomputers reveal the unforeseen architecture and dynamics of three-dimensional scroll waves in excitable media. Their role in life-threatening electrical aberrations of the heartbeat is exposed by laboratory experiments and corroborated in the clinic. These developments trace back to three basic mathematical ideas.
Customer Reviews:
A classic.......2007-06-09
This book gets better and better with time. The more I know about the topics covered in this book, the more I realize how important the book is and how much is to be learned from it.
For those not familiar with Art Winfree, he was a pioneer in the mathematical and experimental investigation of the temporal and spatial aspects of biological phenomena. I don't know that I would agree with the reviewer who states that the book "transgresses" scientific boundaries. Perhaps a few decades ago this might have been true, but much of what Winfree pioneered is now mainstream science, or at least well-known.
The idea of "transgressing boundaries" implies a certain sense of rebellion and frequently has polticial overtones, and I would best describe Winfree as an explorer, not a rebel. He, along with a few other scietists scattered throughout various disciplines, followed where his interests and results led him. In a way, this is the essence of pure science.
Later in his life Winfree was recognized in many ways, deservedly so, and continued to work on his ideas until his death. By that time, his work was well known to scientists in a variety of areas. As another reviewer stated, Winfree was not concerned so much with his image, as with explaining his ideas and thought processes that he used in trying to "get it right".
If you are new to the work of Art Winfree this book will serve as a valuable part of your education. If you are an old hand, who has not looked at the material in the book in a long time, it is always worth yet another reading. This is a very good book. It is a classic of science.
Completely Interdisciplinary Science.......2001-08-19
This 2nd edition of a 1980 book is about 50% enlarged. Its readers today will probably be scientists two generations removed from those familiar with the first printing but this review stresses only the new stuff.
The book has two main parts: a first half containing ten chapters mostly about principles and theory, and a second half containing thirteen more about specific experimental systems. It seems curiously hard to decide whether the subject matter is narrow to the point of caricaturing academic specialization, or incredibly broad to the point of suggesting a smorgasbord for science dilettantes. Among the forty thousand academic science journals viable today, not one is devoted to the topic of "biological waves, oscillations, and phase singularities" featured in this book, so it must be too narrow even for such tastes. Yet the literature drawn upon spans an unmatchably wide gamut, ranging from practical medicine to abstract topology, from recent molecular genetics to history of science, from 1836 to 2000. And Science Citations Index shows that the first edition has been cited about a thousand times in widely diverse publications, continuing at about constant rate over the past twenty years. Maybe this is why Springer-Verlag chose to provoke a 2nd edition even after so long.
Updating is usually an opportunity to erase blunders, but this author instead preserves and draws attention to them: how did this mistake happen, and how did the item come to be seen from a different perspective, with different meaning? To avoid giving offense the author preserves mostly his own blunders for such object lessons while going out of his way to credit the innovations of others.
Almost the whole 1980 text is preserved, with new material intercalated on a shaded background, except for two entirely new fat chapters. One concerns the self-organization of excitable media into three-dimensional vortices with exotic topologies. This is almost wholly theoretical (supercomputer calculations and topology): the only ones discovered in the laboratory (so far) are simple vortex rings. The website mentioned in the preface contains much of the same material but more beautifully illustrated in subsequent Powerpoint lectures not mentioned in the book. The other new chapter concerns real cardiology and the role of phase singularities in sudden cardiac death. This seems a morass of details where I would have preferred to see the elegant tree that grew from seeds planted in the first edition. This tree was recognized midway between editions by a medical award normally given only to cardiologists. The new chapter gives the impression that it is already being cut down or at least pruned, and the author is more concerned about the details of that process than about defending its original structure. His 1987 book, was written a few years before the anticipated role of phase singularities and rotors in cardiology found confirmation in quantitative experiments, so the interested reader (if any) must still resort to the cited journal literature for that story.
Another chapter reports on revolutionary developments entirely unforeseen in the first edition: this is the story of molecular genetics of the circadian biological clock. The author provides a readable summary of discoveries up to the end of 1999, but quite a lot of facts have accumulated since that time. The author's point of view is that present-day facts, while unanticipated in detail, do bear out the almost-forgotten theory elaborated in a 1963 book (Goodwin) as to basic principles, and the contrarian expectation stressed in the first edition, that the details may prove to be surprisingly diverse taxonomically.
One of the best resources this eight hundred page book provides is its dual index, with almost two thousand topics and as many cited references, half of them since the first edition. Because the material is both mathematical and experimental, and each item is encountered several times but from different directions in the text, the index is indispensable to persons with finite lifetime who accordingly prefer not to read every word in sequence. Find the topic, jot down its several pages, read one and note a reference from which that argument draws its data, then see the other index for all pages on which that source document is alluded to. The references, by the way, seem exceptionally complete and up-to-date (up to the last day of the 20th century, when it appears the ms was sent to press).
The preface points to a website for Errata. While this may be helpful to specialists, for the rest of us a better discovery lurks nearby: a link to a series of richly illustrated lectures given since the book went to press. These cover much of the same material in about three hundred substantially distinct slides but with entirely different organization in Powerpoint color (in contrast to about as many B&W line drawings in the book). The web site URL changed: it now seems to be eebweb.biosci.Arizona.edu/~art for Errata, and for the Powerpoints, eeb8.biosci.Arizona.edu/art/2000_lectures.
The author was professor of biological sciences at Purdue University until a few years after the first edition, and has since been professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona. These seem peculiar credentials for authorship of a monograph mostly about topology, physical chemistry, and cardiac electrophysiology in an Applied Mathematics series. The key to understanding this phenomenon may be the first word, standing out in yellow against the green book cover: Interdisciplinary. Whatever may be hyped to the contrary, the academic world resents and resists activities that transgress its historically-defined disciplinary boundaries. You will find them all transgressed in this book.
Book Description
Each book focuses on 68 terrific ideas for family days, from museums and puppet theaters to skyscrapers and parks. Written by parents who live in the cities they cover, these books are smart about what kids like--and about what parents need. All the details for planning are included: addresses, phone numbers, admission prices, and age-appropriateness. "Hey, Kids!" info boxes provide fun facts and interesting trivia about the destination, and "Kid-Friendly Eats" features recommend three or four places to grab a bite to eat nearby. Fun to read and easy to use, these handy little guides make it easy to plan an enjoyable, hassle-free day with children in the world's most popular cities. They're perfect idea books for every city parent and grandparent, and indispensable aids for families on vacation.
Customer Reviews:
fodor's around rome with kids.......2005-09-21
We used this guide during our trip to Rome this summer with our 14/11/9/and 7 year olds. There are some inaccuracies with opening and closing times of a few churches and museums that needs updating. A map highlighting the attractions is missing, and would be very desirable.
The book did highlight a few interesting facts that were missing in the traditional guides.
I would recommend using this book as an adjunct......but you could probably get by without it.
Could be a LOT more user-friendly if..........2005-08-12
This book has some great suggestions, but it is not set up in a user-friendly format. There are 68 2-page spreads, each one describing a particular place to take the kids. Phone numbers, hours, recommended ages, location, and even nearby kid-friendly restaurants are listed. All of which is great. However, the 2-page-spread format is annoying! Instead, they should have each destination on the FRONT and BACK of 1 page, preferably with a perforation along the inner edge, so that you can simply tear out the page you want (or a couple of pages describing places near where you'll be), stick it in your pocket, and go. So you don't have to carry the whole book around the city with you. We actually ended up creating our own destination flash-cards by cutting, pasting, photocopying, and reassembling the pages. But that's a lot of work that the consumer shouldn't have to do in order to make a guidebook useful to him or her.
It doesn't include ANY maps. And some of the location descriptions are bare addresses, which does not help a non-Roman to figure out where they are if they're not on main thoroughfares or in major piazzas.
The destinations are organized alphabetically...in Italian. Great for pointing to the name when trying to indicate to a non-English speaker where you're trying to go, but HORRIBLE for non-Italian-speaking parents (and kids!) who are trying to use the book.
My 7-year-old requests that I add to this review his own comment: "the red writing is hard to read and it doesn't tell you how to get to anywhere."
Don't waste your money on this guide.......2004-03-29
Just returned from a trip to Rome with two kids and had this book in hand. Most of the ideas listed are things that most people would come up with on their own and some of the things listed were just wrong...for example, we showed up at the Victor Emmanuel monument early to see the big iron gate descend (as noted in the book) and not only was the opening time wrong but it turns out that all they do is open a door in the gate. They also list (in a note) a museum dedicated to nativity sets...turns out it's only open in the evenings, a fact that the authors fail to mention.
Excellent resource for kid-friendly activities in Rome.......2003-11-22
We used this book extensively to find both kid and adult friendly activities in Rome. The highlight of our trip was an excursion to the Terme di Papi, a hot spa pool outside of Rome (not listed in any other guidebook). It was an adventure getting there by train, but was worth the the effort. The phone numbers and websites listed are especially useful for getting more detailed information on a particular sight.
Useful Info But Not Particularly Appealing for Kids.......2002-10-31
She has the right idea, linking monuments and museums to people and events that should be of interest to kids. She also lists nearby restaurants and ice cream shops for refreshments. Our kids just weren't very interested in museums and churches. We made it into one each during our trip.
The organizaton of the book, counting down from 68, didn't make much sense. Is #68 the most interesting or #1? The red type is hard on the eyes. The little "Hey Kids" call outs indicated that this is really a book for adults to use to guide their kids.
Book Description
A comprehensive, flexible, and up-to-date vocabulary reference and teaching tool for English language learning. The Oxford Picture Dictionary and its components create a highly teachable programme that can be used as a complete, four-skills beginning course, or as a language development supplement and practical reference. h4span style="font-size: smaller; color: #ff0000"NEW /span Grammar Activity Book/h4
Customer Reviews:
Excelent Dictionary.......2007-09-22
I like this Dictionary! I undestood all words and pictures. But, it needs upgrade yet.
The Oxford Pictionary: English-Brazilian Portuguese Edition.......2007-08-10
The book was in excellent condition. I am using it now, and my students are benefitting greatly from it.
Thank you,
Ellen M. George
Dictionary?.......2007-06-26
I ordered this for our new Brazilian au pair thinking it was a quick reference dictionary. It's this rather large picture book, that didn't really look like a dictionary! Had to return it.
Easy learning!.......2007-03-15
I first saw this book while co-authoring a book for my great Brazilian friend Remi Brito. She uses it in her English class. The book is basically what the title states, a Picture Dictionary. It shows a picture of a table along with the word "table" and then next to it the Portuguese word for table "mesa." It is quite simple and easy to use and can get a person up and running in a quick manner. A fantastic way to increase your English vocabulary.
Great book, good price!
jl
Excellent to get vocabulary.......2003-08-01
Well organized in thematic units, this dictionary is fully illustrated, making it extremely easy for one to understand and memorize new words. It is very well translated in the sense that it really uses brazilian portuguese (rather than portuguese from Portugal) words and they are very well applied. At the end it has a very useful index, which pinpoints the exact location of the word in the dictionary. I would recommend for beginners and intermediate speakers who occasionally are looking for specific words.
Book Description
This versatile collection presents 136 exquisite floral designs for copyright-free use. Ready-to-use designs of popular flowers, native wildflowers, houseplants, shrubs: Lily, African Violet, Camellia, Dogwood, Tulip, Holly, and dozens of others. Ideal for needlework and craft projects, graphic arts, etc. 136 black-and-white illustrations. Publisher's Note. Index. of flowers.
Customer Reviews:
Floral Designs and Motifs for Artists, Needleworkers and Craftspeople.......2007-05-14
The book has great designs to spark "inspirations".
Book Description
Over 1,000 designs: roses, tulips, irises, lilies, more. Classical, Victorian, Art Nouveau, other styles.
Customer Reviews:
It is what it is!.......2007-01-15
If you're looking for 1001 floral motifs then the book delivers. Lots of nice ones... Some not so nice. If I need a piece of floral clip art this is the place I turn.
Useless to me........2001-12-02
Useless for newsletters. Also sorry I bought it.
Not of use to me........1998-11-23
The book probably does have 1OO1 motifs but many were Victorian and so ornate they would be all but impossible to transfer to a greeting card. I would return it but the cost to return would take a large bite out of the cost of the book. Sorry I bought it. May be of use to graphic illustrators with more equipment than I possess.
Book Description
Scores of elegant designs incorporating flowers and fruit — adapted from motifs on antique textiles — are useful for a host of applications. Floral borders, centerpieces, and allover patterns are ideal for commercial artists and designers but will also appeal to hobbyists who enjoy embroidery, designing textiles, and other crafts. 275 black-and-white illustrations.
Average customer rating:
|
Floral Patterns (Asian Art Motifs from Korea, No 2)
Manufacturer: Ahn Graphics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Decorative Arts
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 8970590013 |
Average customer rating:
|
Art Is Flowering: Floral Motifs in Jewellery and Contemporary Art
Cornelie Holzach
Manufacturer: Arnoldsche Verlagsanstalt GMBH
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Decorative Arts
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Still Life
| Painting
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Jewelry
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
German
| Foreign Language Nonfiction
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Arts & Photography
| German
| Foreign Language Books
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Nonfiction
| German
| Foreign Language Books
| Specialty Stores
| Books
All German Books
| German
| Foreign Language Books
| Specialty Stores
| Books
ASIN: 389790277X |
Book Description
A sumptuously illustrated interdisciplinary book on flowers that - far from kitsch and cliche - makes the historical and contemporary cultural significance of bloom and blossom a treat for the senses.
Average customer rating:
|
Sunflowers (The Design Motifs Series)
Lindsay Porter
Manufacturer: Lorenz Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Commercial
| Graphic Design
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Flower Arranging
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Interior Design
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
| Decorating
| Decoration & Ornament
| Floors
| General
| Lighting
| Painting & Wallpapering
| Professional Reference
| Style
| Upholstery & Fabrics
| Windows
ASIN: 1859671446 |
Books:
- The Jungle Book: A Pop-Up Adventure (Classic Collectible Pop-Ups)
- The Kissing Hand
- The Laboratory Small Ruminant
- The Language of Miracles: A Celebrated Psychic Teaches You to Talk to Animals
- The Overloaded Ark
- The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, and Primates
- The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere, 2 Vol. Set (Comstock Books in Herpetology)
- The Water Hole
- Tomorrow Will Be Too Late: The Life of Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Apostle of the Eucharist
- Tops & Bottoms (Caldecott Honor Book)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Crafting and Executing Strategy : The Quest for Competitive Advantage - Concepts and Cases
- Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring
- The Silent Cinema Reader
- The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement
- The Open Society and Its Enemies: Hegel and Marx
- Where Are They Buried
- Who's Hiding
- Financial Accounting: A Bridge to Decision Making
- The First Annual Report of the United States of America
- Empirical Studies of Earnings Mobility
Synchronization: A Universal Concept in Nonlinear Sciences (Cambridge Nonlinear Science Series)
Chemical Oscillations, Waves, and Turbulence
Sync: The Emerging Science of Spontaneous Order
Mathematical Biology II
Rhythms of the Brain
Systems Biology: International Research and Development
Mathematics for Ecology and Environmental Sciences (Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering)
Mathematics for Life Science and Medicine (Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering)
