Book Description

Bringing together the leading European expertise in behaviour and design of silos, this important new book is an essential reference source for all concerned with current problems and developments in silo technology. Silos are used in an enormous range of industries and the handling characteristics of many industrial materials require different approaches for successful, economical installations. For the first time, the many approaches taken by specialists in different fields are brought together in a unified way so that common problems can be addressed. This book is the result of a four year European project - Concerted Action - Silos - funded under the Brite Euram programme which has involved over 100 expert engineers and researchers from all over Europe, in seven working groups. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

It is the clearest Biochemistry book and it is a must for ev
I found the 2e of "Principles of Biochemistry" by A. Lehninger, one of the most exciting books written in the field of Biochemistry. The book should be a treasure, especially, for undergradute students who have interest in the field. I have already adopted it as the main text book for the Biochemistry, a 300 level, course that I teach. Concepts are clearly and cleverly presented.

It is the clearest Biochemistry book and it is a must
I found the 2e of "Principles of Biochemistry" by A. Lehninger, one of the most exciting books written in the field of Biochemistry. The book should be a treasure, especially, for undergradute students who have interest in the field. I have already adopted it as the main text book for the Biochemistry, a 300 level, course that I teach. Concepts are clearly and cleverly presented.

It continues being the best one.
The fourth edition of Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry is the best book is the subjet. Like in the third edition the treatment of the topics is very goog. The first chapthers of the past edition were simplified in one single chapter. Also new is an innovative graphical style for depicting enzyme reaction mechanisms. Introduces the human genome. Biochemical insights derived from the human genome are integrated throughout the text.
Tracking the emergence of genomics and proteomics, this chapter establishes DNA technology as a core topic and a path to understanding metabolism, signaling, and other topics covered in the middle chapters of this edition. Includes up-to-date coverage of microarrays, protein chips, comparative genomics, and techniques in cloning and analysis.

The best Biochemistry book ever so far!
This is the best Biochemistry book (recent edition 4 th edition published April 2004)from the collection of books I have (Stryer, Voet, Garett, Norton,Mathews, please add any other!)The book is very easy to understand specially if you don't have an intimate relation with Biochemistry. Nice illustrations, summary, and a lot more. Do not miss it!

Good book, bad price.
I intend to major in Biochem, so this book might not be enough, but so far it's suit me quite well. Sometimes I feel like the book doesn't go deep enough into some areas, but in the other hand it covers a wide range of things... ... Read more

Book Description

Genomes 2 covers modern molecular genetics from the genomics perspective, incorporating major advances made in the past three years, including the sequencing of the human genome, characterization of genome expression
and replication processes, and transcriptomics and proteomics. The text is richly illustrated with clear, easy-to-follow, full-color diagrams, which are downloadable from the book's website (www.wiley.com/brown).
... Read more

Reviews (14)

Where's the genome?
On the basis of a favorable "Nature Genetics" review, I bought the first edition of this book--and I was quite disappointed with what I found. Basically, it is just another text on molecular & cell biology but with lousy graphics. (The author explicitly states that the figures and other visualizations somehow limit one's learning & thinking.) I am hoping the recent crops of explicit genomics-oriented texts will be better. But I'd steer clear of this one.

Excellent General Overview of Genomics
I found that "Genomes" provides the reader with a thorough yet gentle introduction to the field -- ample illustrations, well-written text, frequent sidebars describing relevant techniques or developments. I've found the book to be a good reference to have on the shelf, and have purchased copies for people when they join my lab group in order to introduce them to or refamiliarize themselves with the technologies underlying the generation of sequence data. I can very easily see this book being used to supplement lectures in an introductory course on genomics and biotechnology.

Useful Text
"...probably the most up-to-date textbook on molecular biology...a useful text...and reference..." (Annals of Pharmacotherapy, September 2003)

Marvelous Text
"...a marvelous text...plenty of definitions and excellent illustrations essential for an introductory textbook...the reader is...guided wonderfully through the text...this text is an essential cornerstone of information..." (Pharmaceutical Research, Vol. 19, No. 12, December 2002)

User Friendly
"...a second edition to incorporate new developments in genome science and to make the book more 'user friendly'...the book substantially exceeds that modest objective; this is a text suitable for anyone who does not specialize in genome science." (Clinical Chemistry, Vol. 48, No. 12) ... Read more

Book Description

The advent of ever more sophisticated molecular manipulation techniques has made it clear that cellular systems are far more complex and dynamic than previously thought. At the same time, experimental techniques are providing an almost overwhelming amount of new data. It is increasingly apparent that linking molecular and cellular structure to function will require the use of new computational tools.

This book provides specific examples, across a wide range of molecular and cellular systems, of how modeling techniques can be used to explore functionally relevant molecular and cellular relationships. The modeling techniques covered are applicable to cell, developmental, structural, and mathematical biology; genetics; and computational neuroscience. The book, intended as a primer for both theoretical and experimental biologists, is organized in two parts: models of gene activity and models of interactions among gene products. Modeling examples are provided at several scales for each subject. Each chapter includes an overview of the biological system in question and extensive references to important work in the area. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Informative, but not information I can use
Regulatory networks are central to every aspect of computational biology. Determining what they are, and what genes, proteins, and post-translational modifications interact is a major and exciting field of study.

I just didn't come away from this book with that excitement. I was hoping for more about the large-scale regulation networks, but these papers go down to the quantum mechanics of interactions between pairs of molecules. I appreciate that the exact interactions matter, and that computation is probably the only way to examine some kinds of interactions (e.g. the ones in lethal mutations). It's just not what I think of as a "network."

I was also hoping for some more specifics about the computation techniques. There were some interesting insights here. For example, I never thought about the similarities between steady state chemical equilibrium and steady state Markov model behavior before, but the formalisms have striking similarities. I was also interested in some of the information-based measures for determining how well a model represents a system. I learned that the statistical assumptions behind normal chemical "equilibrium" break down at the scale of bacteria - instead, presence or absence of individual molecules matters more. Still, those were isolated kinds of facts and never came together into a whole for me.

The range of views was worthwhile. On the whole, though, the models all seemed very low-level to me, probably not well suited to handling more than a few dozen interactions, and the computation specifics were not always explicit. I'm still looking for a book with more information that I can apply directly.

Excellent survey of the field
An excellent survey for anyone contemplating doing research in this area. The authors make a special effort to identify the open research problems, what has been done to date and what there is very little of. This book will bridge the gap for anyone with a background in Molecular Biology that wants to build computer models for cellular and genetic activities. It is especially focused on gene regulation, but also covers other modeling areas such as diffusion. In reading this book, you will appreciatge both the good start this field is off to, but also the long way to go before a complete cell can be modeled. A great area to do pioneering work.

it's about time!!!
For many years, biologists have been accumulating descriptions of biological "parts" with an almost complete lack of a framework for understanding how those parts might really work together. This book represents the first and so far only example I have seen of an effort to describe modeling techniques that are right now being developed to construct such a framework. There are other books on "computational biology", but most of them are focused only on measuring and comparing different strands of molecules -- this book describes how computational techniques are starting to be applied to actually trying to understand how those molecules work together to generate life. On the outside jacket of the book, Bruce Alberts, President of the National Academy of Science, AND the guy whose book on molecular biology I had to buy for a lot of money when I was in college, describes the authors of this book as being "Brave". I would say it is an introduction to a "Brave New World". This has to be where biology is going -- Each of the chapters are written by different people, and as such there is some variation in readability. I also wish that the color illustrations were part of the chapter they refer to instead of being grouped in the middle. But most of the chapters start with enough of an overview to be understandable to anyone with a decent background in biology. And WOW -- biology is going to get much more exciting!! Oh one other thing -- the art on the inside of the jacket is wonderful - especially in contrast to the black cover with its standard diagram of metabolism -- I wonder if there is a message there :-) . ... Read more

Book Description

Co-written by the author of the award-winning The Tropical Look, An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms offers a definitive account of palms that may be grown in the garden and landscape. Because palms are often underutilized as a result of their unfamiliarity---even to tropical gardeners---Robert Lee Riffle and Paul Craft have exhaustively documented every genus in the palm family. Approximately 890 species are described in detail, including cold hardiness, water needs, height, and any special requirements. No gardener or landscaper who reads this book should ever again lose a palm solely because of lack of horticultural information.

Generously illustrated with more than 900 photos, An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms is as valuable as an identification guide as it is a practical handbook. The volume even contains photos of several palm species that have never before appeared in a general encyclopedia. Interesting snippets of history, ethnobotany, and biology inform the text and make this a lively catalog of these remarkable plants.

As well as all of the tropical and subtropical palms, the encyclopedia includes many species that can withstand freezing; thus it is applicable for areas where average low temperatures do not drop below 5ºF (-15ºC).

Many features of the book add to its usefulness for the amateur or professional grower. Extensive landscape lists group together palms with special characteristics, such as drought tolerance, salt tolerance, and slow growth, to name a few. A unique appendix with notes on germinating seed of selected palms will prove invaluable to gardeners and nursery professionals who wish to grow palms from seed. In all, An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms offers a wealth of information to horticulturists at every level of experience. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Excellent Reference
A nice addition to the various encyclopedias on cultivated palm trees. The authors went to a lot of trouble photographing the many species illustrated as well as the undertaking to provide information on each species but not perfect considering the magnitude of the task. If you are a collector of palms or enjoy palm trees this book is a must in your library. I use this volume as a reference regularly and could not imagine my library without it. Also a nice companion to Betrocks Cultivated Palms of the World.

Best Overall Palm Reference
This is truly a great book for palm enthusiasts. It has detailed descriptions and photos of most, if not all, of the palm species currently cultivated in the U. S., Australia and Europe and is an invaluable reference for the palm-growing hobbyist. It is not intended to be a "how to" book and shouldn't be criticized because for not discussing planting techniques, fertilization, diseases, etc.

I've bought four copies: one for myself and three for gifts.

Great book!
This book is simply the most comprehensive, practical reference to palms in cultivation. No detail has been left out for hardiness, landscape use, and horticultural needs. Most photos are excellent, but many were taken of rare species in the field and are not meant to be coffee table gorgeous--you won't find photos of these species in other books. We can grow a surprising array of palms here in the Northwest, and this book is just as useful to me as it would be on the Gulf Coast. This book also has the invlvement of the International Palm Society vice president, so it comes with the stamp of authority.

An Excellent Photographic Reference for Palm Enthusiasts
This is one of the most complete reference guides for anyone who has ever wondered about palm trees. The scientific treatment of the subject is kept to a minimum while the use of palms in the landscape is emphasized. Here the enthusiasm of the authors shines through. The numerous color photographs underscore the point that nearly any landscape need can be satisfied with thoughtful use of palms.

The photographs are snapshot rendered, but in my opinion, any lapse of quality which results is more than compensated by the adequacy of detail.

Though the authors provide notes on seed germination, they avoid a more thorough discussion of propagation. The authors generously supply hints on cultivation of many species covered in the book, but they do not discuss diseases which afflict growing specimens.

There is no doubt that the book is worth the price paid.

Not A Coffee Table Book
this book is not beautiful.

The pictures are poorly taken: they are snap shots that make the palms themselves look like giant weeds.

And the pictures are not large - there are 4 or more on every page.

The printing quality is poor to average - the printer was just going through the motions when producing this book.

To sum up - it may be a good reference if you're good at long latin names and cluttered, muddy photographs... but it is not in any way a beautifully made book. ... Read more

Book Description

'Provides comprehensive detail on the various aspects of particular molecules involved in the phases of injury and repair and thecellular movements and processes....This is an excellent referencebook for libraries serving biology and health science clientele andfor workers in this field of research.' --AmericanScientist, from a review of the First Edition All chapters of thissecond edition have been completely revised and expanded--especially the chapters on growth factors and extracellular matrix molecules. New chapters discuss provisional matrix proteins, extracellular matrix receptors, and scarring versus nonscarring wound healing. ... Read more

Book Description

The myxomycetes, or slime molds, are among the most fascinating organisms in the world. This book identifies all the species one is likely to encounter, with extensive information on their structural features, distribution, and ecological associations. Superbly illustrated and with keys, it is an introduction to their biology as well as a field guide ... Read more

Reviews (2)

As Strange as Any Life from Mars Could be!
The slime molds are generally little noticed, but very strange life forms that could easily fit in a science fiction book. The swarm cells and myxamoebae unite to form first an amoeboid zygote, then the strange, crawling, plasmodium stage, and finally the fungus-like fruiting body. The plasmodia can be (in the case of Fuligo) large yellow pulsating crawling blobs that suddenly appear on people's lawns. Others are less noticeable, but often brightly colored. I have seen one of these plasmodia in my life- a bright pink blob that disappeared into the ground when I raised a rotting log in the Pinaleno Mountains of Arizona. I was certainly startled!

Stephenson and Stempen have written an excellent book on these strange critters in "Myxomycetes: A Handbook of Slime Molds." It fills a gap in the literature on natural history. It is my hope that more people will be able to appreciate these neat organisms through the descriptions, excellent line drawings and well-rendered color plates.

I will disagree with one reviewer's dislike of the describer's name after the scientific name, however. It is there for the convenience of other taxonomist as least as much as the vanity of the describer. If I know that Physarum nutans was described by Persoon it tells me something about where I should look for the original description and may also give me some idea of when the name probably originated. Also Physarum cinereum (Batsch) Persoon tells me that Batsch wrote the original description, but placed the species in a different genus, which was than changed to the present genus by Persoon. Thus such "vain" additions are often important to other workers in the field.

I do agree with the same reviewer that some further discussion of how slime molds are classified might have helped an otherwise excellent book. However, I am also fully aware that the classification is still in flux and no final answers may yet be possible until DNA studies are done (and maybe not even then!).

Read this book if you find the weirdness of the world fascinating! Better still, use it to find and identify slime molds. Good hunting.

Excellent - with 3 caveats
Overall I cannot find enough praise for the book. Clearly written, lavishly illustrated with exquisite line-drawings, and even the luxury of coloured plates! My three criticisms below can only be seen in the context of lavish praise which this volume richly deserves.

However...........

1. Chaper 6. Classification. Pages 70-71.

The classification diagram is fine. But it would have been very helpful to mention the class, division and kingdom in which myxomcetes belong. Thus enabling the reader to appreciate the place of Myxomycetes in the tree of all earthly life.

2. Chapter 6. Identification. Pages 72ff.

The novice's efforts to itentify a slime mould would be greatly assisted by taking one step back, before presenting the excellent dichotomous trees. We need an acid test to decide whether what is before our eyes is indeed a slime mould, and not e.g. a lichen, fungus, moss..... It is pointless to apply the dichotomous (how I love that word!) tests to something which is not in fact a slime mould at all!

2. Chapter 6. Descriptions (names). Pages 87ff.

As a matter of passionately held principle I object to the odious practice of adding discoveres' names to the scientific names of species. As the authors will be aware, there are strongs movement to put an end to this appalling habit which -

a. Detracts from the scientific objectivity of the naming scheme, by obtrusive name-dropping. Imagine the ridicule resulting from the spread of this practice to other sciences, where we might well stumble upon the ...

electron (Thompson) Milligan, neutron Chadwick neutrino (Yukawa) Dirac

b. Leads to such ugly and unfelicitous expressions as....

Trichia varia (Persoon) Persoon

.....surely a case of the tail wagging the dog!

c. Adds nothing to the intrinsic nature of the species. Presumably Physarella oblongata would still have existed, exactly as it now is, even if it had never been identified by (Berkley & Curtis) Morgan! Or indeed before any human beings evolved!

To avoid continual irritation I have typ-exed out all mention of discoverers' names in my copy of this otherwise splendid book! ... Read more

Book Description

A combination of broad disciplinary coverage and scientific excellence, the Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences will be an indispensable addition to the library of anyone interested in forests, forestry and forest sciences. Packed with valuable insights from experts all over the world, this remarkable set not only summarizes recent advances in forest science techniques, but also thoroughly covers the basic information vital to comprehensive understanding of the important elements of forestry.

The Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences also covers relevant biology and ecology, different types of forestry (e.g. tropical forestry and dryland forestry), scientific names of trees and shrubs, and the applied, economic, and social aspects of forest management.

Valuable key features further enhance the utility of this Encyclopedia as an exceptional reference tool.




The Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences is available online on ScienceDirect. The print edition price for this reference work does not include online access. For more information on pricing for access to the online edition, please review our Licensing Options.


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Book Description

A timely overview of this rapidly-expanding topic, covering the most important classes of compounds and incorporating the latest literature. With its application-oriented approach, this book is the first to emphasize current and potential applications, extending to such fields as materials science, bioorganic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and organic synthesis. In the biological context in particular, the book clarifies which receptor systems work well in water or better under physiological conditions.

From the contents:

• Amino Acid, Peptid and Protein Receptors
• Carbohydrate Receptors
• Ammonium, Amidinium and Guanidinium Receptors
• Anion Receptors
• Molecular Capsules and Self Assembly
• Dynamic Combinatorial Libraries based on Molecular Recognition
• Molecular Machines
• Self-Replication

Book Description

Braja M. Das' PRINCIPLES OF GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING provides civil engineering students and professionals with an overview of soil properties and mechanics, combined with a study of field practices and basic soil engineering procedures. Through four editions, this book has distinguished itself by its exceptionally clear theoretical explanations, realistic worked examples, thorough discussions of field testing methods, and extensive problem sets, making this book a leader in its field.Das's goal in revising this best-seller has been to reorganize and revise existing chapters while incorporating the most up-to-date information found in the current literature. Additionally, Das has added numerous case studies as well as new introductory material on the geological side of geotechnical engineering, including coverage of soil formation. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This is a great intro book on Soil Mechanics.
I just finished taking a intro Soil Mechanics class using this book. We completed all 16 chapters which is quite a feat for any engineering class.

I thought the book was very good at laying out the conceptual aspects of soil mechanics and it was very easy to read through, espcially for an engineering book. The book has lots of illustrations and pictures (B&W). The books chapter layout was a little bass ackwards (Ch 11-14). The book has a fair amount of sample problems, at least one for every concept. However Engineering students regarding solved problems are like crack addicts on the streets, you can never have enough of what you desire.

I would actually rate this book a 4.5/5.0......but I had to round up.

Much to be desired.
I first bought this book as a required text for a couple of my modules in school. This book is very effective when it comes to presenting the mathematical formula, examples and graphs. However, the discussions of tests and soil behaviour left much to be desired.

This book would be suitable for people who just started on soil mechanics. ... Read more

Book Description

Wiley is proud to announce the publication of the first ever broad-based textbook introduction to Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics by a trained biologist, experienced researcher, and award-winning instructor. In this new text, author Jonathan Pevsner, winner of the 2001 Johns Hopkins University "Teacher of the Year" award, explains problem-solving using bioinformatic approaches using real examples such as breast cancer, HIV-1, and retinal-binding protein throughout. His book includes 375 figures and over 170 tables. Each chapter includes: Problems, discussion of Pitfalls, Boxes explaining key techniques and math/stats principles, Summary, Recommended Reading list, and URLs for freely available software. The text is suitable for professionals and students at every level, including those with little to no background in computer science. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Highly Recommended
"...an intriguing work targeted toward biologists wanting to solve problems...provides a compendium of many biological insights and breakthroughs and will be a useful resource...highly recommended." (Choice, Vol. 41, No. 7, March 2004)

Excellent for bioinformatics from a user's perspective
Unlike the previous review, I found the user perspective, rather than the mathematical perspective refreshing. I have been teaching bioinformatics to CS students for several years and all too often the students are great at algorithms and theory but do not understand the user they are designing for. This book teaches just that -- how to use bioinformatics from a user or researcher's viewpoint. Medical students and biologists will find it useful for direct applicability to their work, but I also reccomend it for bioinformatics students who need to complement their theoretical background with practical use. All too often, CS students of bioinformatics can design a great database with powerful access tools, but with a horrible interface because they don't have this perspective.

Now, for the book itself. It is easy to read and covers all aspects of bioinformatics from a sequence perspective (information retrieval, BLAST, gene expression and microarrays, proteomics and protein bioinformatics, genomes and disease). The coverage of databases and URLs is thourough and the text is easy to read, yet useful. The book is comprehensive with one area seemingly missing -- it would have been useful to include a chapter on systems biology and/or cellular modeling and the tools available (i.e. E-Cell). The book is especially useful to a researcher who is trying to explore all aspects of a particular gene, protein, disease, or pathway using bioinformatics tools.

The book is in stark contrast to the other Pevser (that is Pevzner) who wrote a bioinformatics book that surveyed algorithm theory underlying bioinformatics.

This book is also useful for less technical professionals in industry -- the managers, lawyers and venture capitalists that pervade the biotech landscape all need to communicate effectively and they can surely learn that here, provided they have some background in cell biology first.

Bioinformatics for computational dummies
A genious attempt to present bioinformatics as if it is a discipline without any computational content. Perfect for students who lost any hope to understand what is the engine driving bioinformatics tools but want simply to memorize how to use them instead. Must be a very comfortable reading for biologists but is as exciting as a long carefully designed restaurant menu for a mathematician. If the author wants to raise a new generation of biologists with this book then biology and *real* bioinformatics will be divorced forever. ... Read more

Book Description

A riveting and uproarious collection of true tales of fishing and adventure at sea by Linda Greenlaw -- author of the New York Times bestsellers The Lobster Chronicles and The Hungry Ocean.

When New York Times bestselling author Linda Greenlaw goes fishing, she catches us all -- hook, line, and sinker.

Just before Christmas, Linda meets up with her best friend and fellow fisherman Alden Leeman for lunch and a drink at the Dry Dock, a well-worn watering hole in Portland, Maine. Alden, the captain of Linda's first fishing expedition, has seen his share of mishaps and adventures at sea. When Linda shares memories of navigating her ship through one of the craziest storms she's ever seen, Alden quickly follows up with his own tales. Then other fishermen, who are sitting on the periphery attentively listening, decide to weigh in with yarns of their own.

All Fishermen Are Liars brims with true stories of the most eccentric crew member, the funniest episode, the biggest fish, and the wildest night at sea. Denizens of the Dry Dock drift in and out as the bar begins to swell with rounds of drinks and tales that increase in drama. Here are some of the greatest fishing stories ever -- all relayed by Linda Greenlaw in her inimitable style.

All Fishermen Are Liars will give readers what they have come to love and expect from Linda Greenlaw -- luminous descriptions and edge-of-the-seat thrills. It's the perfect book for anyone who loves fishing and the sea. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Aww, what the heck¿another round please!
Linda Greenlaw landed the mother of all catches with her first book, The Hungry Ocean. Unfortunately, her subsequent work will always be compared with that initial gripping tale of longline swordfishing. As with her second book, The Lobster Chronicles, this new compendium of fishing tales, in All Fisherman Are Liars (AFAL) she provides an enjoyable, entertaining read, but nothing to compare to the can't-put-it-down original novel.

AFAL is an assemblage of perhaps a dozen good stories from fisherman of their time at sea. Far and away the most dramatic is the tale of David Marks, caught in a Caribbean hurricane in chapter four. The trouble is we don't get enough to fully satisfy; this one 'Shackleton-esque' story might have made an excellent novel itself. As with some of the other tales, it begins too fast and ends too soon.

Greenlaw uses a one-night gathering in Portland, Maine's Dry Dock Bar as a device to hold the stories together. Ostensibly she has a lunch date with old friend Alden Leeman, a salty ex-boss and longtime fishing friend, with whom she hopes to have a serious discussion about his health and impending retirement. Lunch turns into a continuous run of sea yarns from Linda, Alden and various other close friends in their fishing community. The clothesline on which she hangs the stories droops after a few chapters with the sogginess of her meeting's premise: her concern for Alden's health grows repetitive. We just want the next story, please.

Still, she brings color to her characters and the stories she has collected. Readers of her previous books will recognize some of the characters and boats. And the "Bar Snacks" with which she separates the chapters, feed us with amusing tidbits and observations, for instance, "Fibs and Exaggerations of Crew Members." An enjoyable summer read. Keep writing Linda.

All Fishermen Are Liars - From One Qualified to Tell It
We first met Linda Greenlaw when she was introduced to us by Sebatsian Junger in The Perfect Storm. During that epic event she was a longline swordfishing captain on the Hannah Bowden and while the book was not about her, she played a significant role in the story. Later she introduced herself to us in her first book, The Hungry Ocean where she told us of her history and experiences in one of the most dangerous professions a person could chose. In her second book, The Lobster Chronicles, she has "retired" from swordfishing and is living with her parents on The Isle au Haut while she goes about the coastal business of lobstering with her Dad as her sternman and also goes about the business of adjusting her life to that of a successful author and recorder of the life and times of that place off the Maine Coast.

In her third literary effort, Lindaw recounts a very long "lunch" with her best friend, Alden Leeman. However, it is much more than that. Leeman is recovering from heart surgery, Greenlaw is worried about his insistence on continuing to be a commercial fisherman. As she points out, "Fishing is not what Alden does for a living, it is what he is." He is also stubborn, profane, a curmudgeon and a person you can count on when the sea is rough and the wind is coming from a bad quarter.

The "lunch" takes place in a Portland watering hole namewd the Dry Dock. During the course of it, which lasts until closing time, yarns are spun, stories swapped, lies told, memories churned and lessons are taught and sometimes ignored by those hearing them. The purpose of the lunch was to get Alden to slow down or even consider retiring from fishing. The result of it was a chatty and interesting book which those who have liked Greenlaws's writing will appreciate. It is a little thin, in my judgement for the price, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it, for I did. She has been promising us a novel about the sea, drawn from her experiences for a couplke of books now. Whether or not that will happen is still in the wind, but her insights into the personal condition and the hearts of those who go down to the sea should be a wonderful framework for the effort, when it is ever undertaken.

This enjoyable collection will hook readers from the launch
Linda Greenlaw (author of THE HUNGRY OCEAN and THE LOBSTER CHRONICLES) writes of her adventures at sea in such passionate, loving terms that she inspires fishing dreams in the most landlubberish of readers. This collection of "true fishermen's" stories was gathered in one prolonged lunch with her best friend Alden at Portland, Maine's Dry Dock Bar. The tales are separated by entertaining short extra pieces called "Bar Snacks."

Greenlaw approaches the lunch nervously thanks to her determination to coax Alden to retire from fishing because of his heart condition. She fears fishing will be the death of him, but she knows he won't accept her guidance in any remotely graceful manner. The author describes Alden as her mentor. He taught her countless lessons about fishing and about life, and gave Greenlaw her first experience as a ship's captain. However, Greenlaw adds affectionately, he has also given her the world's worst advice in all areas. Thanks to his financial counsel, she disregards student loans and credit card payments. She also credits Alden with teaching her countless bad habits. He's lacking in the social graces and has taken pains to never learn a thing from her. Yet Greenlaw adores Alden and calls him "the most amazing man I've ever encountered."

Before the subject of Alden's ill health is approached, a random comment from him launches Greenlaw into the first story, a musing on an ex-beau, Alan, and his incredibly poor luck as a fisherman. That bad mojo included wrecking a friend's motorcycle, mechanical problems with his boat, poor fishing, sunken ships, and being cheated. He was also lied to, stolen from, punched by a crew member, and on and on.

After Alan's story is finished, Greenlaw gathers her courage to introduce the subject of Alden's health as they order lunch. A storm threatens, which inspires Greenlaw to relate her tale at sea during "the storm of the century." At the time of the storm, in March 1993, Greenlaw was captain of a lobster fishing rig. She chose to ignore warnings to head to shore --- a decision she profoundly regretted when the storm hit.

Alden then gleefully one-ups Greenlaw's tale of terror. And so it goes, one story after the other. The lunch and storytelling last until after ten at night. The tales consist of horror stories and a ghost story, high adventure and low humor. In one yarn, a whore awakens to find herself at sea on a fishing expedition; in another, Greenlaw encounters a legendary and charming outlaw. All the stories celebrate the love between fishermen and the sea.

If I sometimes feel Greenlaw describes the technical details of fishing a little too thoroughly (a tangled wire is a tangled wire, and telling what it is, how it tangled and how to untangle it slows the story), I suspect others won't necessarily agree with me. At any rate, the book's yarns are so enthralling that any mini dissertation is a mere minor distraction. Indeed, Greenlaw's love for fishing and the sea invigorate her prose. Her beautifully compelling description of life at sea is so irresistible, it's all I can do not to head for the nearest fishing vessel and (try to) sign on when I read:

"The ocean has a way of swallowing your troubles, leaving you with a carefree feeling, while at the same time enforcing the notion that you are indeed the master of your own destiny. So, if you are making any headway at all toward a desired destination, you become so content that you dream of staying offshore forever.

The simplest things became astounding. The commonplace became remarkable."

The same can be said for ALL FISHERMEN ARE LIARS, a book that will hook readers from the launch and make them glad (...) ... Read more

Book Description

A collection of 365 juice and smoothie blends, this book gives readers all the nutrients they need for health. ... Read more

Book Description

The first two editions of this manual have been mainstays of molecular biology for nearly twenty years, with an unrivalled reputation for reliability, accuracy, and clarity.

In this new edition, authors Joe Sambrook and David Russell have completely updated the book, revising every protocol and adding a mass of new material, to broaden its scope and maintain its unbeatable value for studies in genetics, molecular cell biology, developmental biology, microbiology, neuroscience, and immunology.

Handsomely redesigned and presented in new bindings of proven durability, this three-volume work is essential for everyone using today’s biomolecular techniques.

The opening chapters describe essential techniques, some well-established, some new, that are used every day in the best laboratories for isolating, analyzing and cloning DNA molecules, both large and small.

These are followed by chapters on cDNA cloning and exon trapping, amplification of DNA, generation and use of nucleic acid probes, mutagenesis, and DNA sequencing.

The concluding chapters deal with methods to screen expression libraries, express cloned genes in both prokaryotes and eukaryotic cells, analyze transcripts and proteins, and detect protein-protein interactions.

The Appendix is a compendium of reagents, vectors, media, technical suppliers, kits, electronic resources and other essential information.

As in earlier editions, this is the only manual that explains how to achieve success in cloning and provides a wealth of information about why techniques work, how they were first developed, and how they have evolved. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Comprehensive guide to do-it-yourself cloning
When Bobs first recieved this set as a gift I thought it would make a lovely doorstop. My last pregnancy, however, was a triple birth that Bobs and our live-in next-door neighbor, Chompson, cooked up in a petrie dish down in the basement. I thought that this cloning business was all a bunch of hogwash, but as the years pass I've come to realize that two of the babies are exact clones of Chompson! (the third appears to be a clone of Bobs' favorite TV goddess, Farrah Fawcett-Majors) While I think that Bobs was remiss in his choice of subjects, you have to respect the science that makes miracles like this possible.

the BIBLE of every biologist
So few and so much to say about this bible of Biology at the bench...
You'll really find everything you want in it, including the composition of all the buffers and solutions, the new protocols for high-tech biology (FLIM-FRET), some paragraphs about bioinformatics and more.Incredibly precise, this book is consequently a big book (3 huge volumes), so better know exactly wath you're looking for before opening it!
The must have of every lab!

the BIBLE of every biologist
So few and so much to say about this bible of Biology at the bench...
You'll really find everything you want in it, including the composition of all the buffers and solutions, the new protocols for high-tech biology (FLIM-FRET), some paragraphs about bioinformatics and more.Incredibly precise, this book is consequently a big book (3 huge volumes), so better know exactly wath you're looking for before opening it!
The must have of every lab!

Excellent reference for all
In this 3 volume set of books the authors summarize the most important laboratory protocols for DNA analysis and cloning. As someone involved in computational biology and mathematical gene sequence analysis, I was needing such a summary to get an idea of just how genetic engineering is actually practiced in the laboratory. The book is definitely written for those readers that are very experienced in these "wet" techniques, but it still could be perused profitably by anyone who is curious about genetic engineering. There is also an excellent website that owners of the books can go to and search for protocols and obtain updates and additions to the protocols.

At the beginning of each chapter, the authors give an introduction to the protocols and this is of an enormous help to those readers with only rudimentary acquaintance with the laboratory procedures. Typically, this introduction contains an historical summary of the procedures as they were developed or discovered. One can only marvel at the ingenuity of the discoverers of these techniques. These introductions are fairly straightforward to read, even for those that are not experts in biochemistry.

At the end of each chapter, the authors include an "information panel" that gives a more in-depth view of the biochemistry or genetics behind the procedures. These are summaries and are highly specialized, and are again meant for experienced readers. A very lengthy list of references is also included at the end of each chapter.

Becuase of the size of this collection, space here does not permit a detailed review, so I will list some of the areas that I thought were particularly interesting or well-written (these coming from the introduction or the information panels only): 1. The DNA synthesis at the colE1 replicon and the interaction between RNAI and RNAII. 2. The discussion of electroporation and the physics behind this technique to introduce DNA into eukaryotic cells. 3. The discussion on the discovery of bacteriophage lambda. 4. The discussion (with diagram), of the assembly pathway of bacteriophage lambda. 5. The summary of the early analysis of DNA using electrophoresis and the different pulsed-field configurations used. 6. The anecdote on the discovery of the polymerase chain reaction. 7. The short discussion on computer-assisted design of oligonucleotide primers. 8. The discussion of oligonucleotide synthesis. 9. The flowchart detailing the preparing and screening of a cDNA library. 10. The history of the development of the methods to synthesize and clone cDNAs. 11. The detailed discussion of the molecular cloning of double-stranded cDNA. 12. The discussion on the methods to validate clones of cDNA. 13. The discussion on magnetic beads for affinity purification. 14. The discussion on the history of DNA sequencing and the different techniques to accomplish it, particularly the information panel on automated DNA sequencing. 15. The discussion of the different types of mutagenesis and the different methods for accomplishing it. 18. The fascinating discussion of how to introduce cloned genes into mammalian cells. 19. The discussion on the steps involved in DNA footprinting. 20 The discussion on green flourescent protein and its use as a fusion tag. 21. The discussion on the use of surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy.

A must for molecular biologists
I love this book, however some areas are better covered in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, and vice versa. So I would recommend having both. ... Read more

Book Description

This book is a comprehensive up-to-date treatise that includesinformation on virus-, viroid- and phytoplasma-induced potatodiseases. The chapters of this book were written by internationally well-known experts and include novel techniques of detection, virusisolation, transmission and epidemiology of the pathogens, as well astheir control by rapid propagation of the virus-tested clones,breeding for resistance by conventional and biotechnological methodsand implementation of certification schemes. Also included are chapters on the botanical characteristics andeconomic importance of the potato, main cultivars, historicalperspectives and emerging viruses in relation to control proceduresand regulations. This book will be of major value to all those interested in potatoes -researchers and students, general practitioners, seed potato growers,tissue culture laboratories, inspection services and regulatoryauthorities; and should attract audiences from all potato growingareas: US, Europe, South America, Russia, India and China. ... Read more

Book Description

Geosynthetic materials have entered the mainstream in the professional arena and are no longer considered new construction material. Professionals need to keep up with the nuances of how geosynthetics work.Emphasizes design by function; overviews all types of geosynthetics, with stand-alone units on particular materials. Uses S.I. units for all problems and examples. Expands coverage of containers and tubes in the geotextile chapter. Discusses walls and slope design, including seismic analysis, in the geogrid chapter. Treats wet landfills, agricultural waste, waste stability, and dam waterproofing in the geomembrane chapter. Discusses new products and related performances in the geosynthetic clay liner chapter. Discusses new products and related behavior, including fiber reinforcement and wall drainage, in the geocomposite chapter. Adds a completely new chapter on geofoam.A useful reference for transportation, geotechnical, environmental, and hydraulics professionals and engineers. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Geosynthetics - straight forward, crystal clear
Designing with Geosynthetics is the definitive text book for the geotechnical designer and specification writer, yet is simplistic enough for someone with no previous experience with Geosynthetics.The design byfunction approach is a common-sense straigh-forward concept that helps thereader understand the functionality of these plastic materials within asoil matrix. The text is also a boon to site owners and developers whousing traditional methods would not develop a site, but with geosyntheticsolutions, may develop the most difficult sites cost effectively.

Difficult to understand if you are not a ten year engineer
Currently I am using this text book for a college course on geosynthetics and I feel that it is not the level of material we should be using.This is partially our instructors fault for using this book as a reference but also you need to be a ten year engineer to understand the language.For example chapter 5 was assigned to us as reading along with 20 questions from the end of the chapter.The work load isn't the problem it is the fact that the book is not precise to what it is telling you.I know the answers are not going to come leaping out of the text book as the question reads but at least some order and explaination throughout the text could be used.My classmates and I feel the same way.Maybe I should direct my concerns to our instructor or maybe I am just blowing smoke because I want to understand something that isn't being explianed to me in a simple manner.I don't want to criticize your text but I find that it a little over-bearing to read when you are only learning the basic fundamentals of geosynthetics.Thank-you for your time. ... Read more

Book Description

Quantitative modeling methods have become a central tool in the management of harvested fish populations. This book examines how these modeling methods work, why they sometimes fail, and how they might be improved by incorporating larger ecological interactions. Fisheries Ecology and Management provides a broad introduction to the concepts and quantitative models needed to successfully manage fisheries.

Walters and Martell develop models that account for key ecological dynamics such as trophic interactions, food webs, multi-species dynamics, risk-avoidance behavior, habitat selection and density-dependence. They treat fisheries policy development as a two-stage process, first identifying strategies for varying harvest in relation to changes in abundance, then finding ways to implement such strategies in terms of monitoring and regulatory procedures. This book provides a general framework for developing assessment models in terms of state-observation dynamics hypotheses, and points out that most fisheries assessment failures have been due to inappropriate observation model hypotheses rather than faulty models for ecological dynamics.

Intended as a text in upper division and graduate classes on fisheries assessment and management, this useful guide will also be widely read by ecologists and fisheries scientists.

... Read more