Book Description

The emerging field of systems biology involves the application of experimental, theoretical, and modeling techniques to the study of biological organisms at all levels, from the molecular, through the cellular, to the behavioral. Its aim is to understand biological processes as whole systems instead of as isolated parts. Developments in the field have been made possible by advances in molecular biology--in particular, new technologies for determining DNA sequence, gene expression profiles, protein-protein interactions, and so on. Foundations of Systems Biology provides an overview of the state of the art of the field. The book covers the central topics of systems biology: comprehensive and automated measurements, reverse engineering of genes and metabolic networks from experimental data, software issues, modeling and simulation, and system-level analysis. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Very good book.
Great for people who are interested in this new area.

suckage
I was very disappointed with what I found in this book. There is a broad range of topics, but the material presented for each topic is extremely thin. In fact, it would appear that each topic is covered by a single chapter modeled after a very short scientific paper. There is very little review of current cutting edge methods. For example, of particular interest to this reviewer was the chapter on large-scale gene expression arrays. What this reviewer found for 1/3 of the chapter on gene arrays was a paper detailing the "DBRF" method in inferring gene array data. At the end of the chapter was a conclusion, "Thus it is shown here that the DBRF method is superior the _predictor_ method." What should have been a chapter on 'foundations', as the title implies, seems to have become a chapter for pushing the agenda of a particular author's field of research.

It may very well be that the 'DBRF' method is superior to the 'predictor' method. That we'll leave up to the reader. But the inclusion of such material would seem to undermine the goals stated in the editorial preface, "Toward System-level Understand of Biological Ssytems." A foundations book, instead of focusing on research of particular groups, should attempt to summarize, dissect, review, compare, and criticize the field.

A more appropriate title for this book would be 'A random collection of speculative essays.' There may still be gems in this book for certain readers, but those wishing to learn about general systems biology should turn elsewhere.

skim it in the library, if that....
The sizzle of bioinformatics is fadding, so you're looking to become a player in biology's new buzz: systems biology? Well, don't start your search with this book. The title is misleading: "Foundations of Systems Biology". I was expecting a broad overview of the field with maybe a few key examples and typical approaches of experimental design (both wet-lab and computational). However, this book is nothing more than a thrown together collection of papers that would have a better home torn out of the book and placed in journals. A better (and cheaper) starting place for getting an overview of systems biology would be the SCIENCE issue on systems biology (vol 295 2002) [it even has a nice review by Kitano the editor of this book]. For people looking for current gene network modeling techniques, you might start with "Mathematical modeling of gene networks." Smolen, et.al. Neuron 2000. But save your money and time by not buying this book.

A very good begining
In my knowledge, this is the first organized effort to present a synoptic view of systems biology. The best part is that all the contributors are themselves active scientists in the field and obviously therefore information presented is very reliable. I would strongly recommend this book for beginners, though I am sure professionals will find it equally interesting. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An old classic, but still useful.
This classic is getting old...
But you cand find some important informations inside, classic protocols and keys-data to the antibodies-world.
A must-have reference for any today-biologist working with antibodies (immunostaining, immunoprecipitation, Western-blot, antibodies production, etc...).

An excellent summary of immunological methods.
This book is indespensible for those wishing to set up any type of antibody related methodology. Gives excellent overviews of immunodiagnostic methods (ELISA,RIA,etc.), antibody production (polyclonal and monoclonal), and includes basic summaries on the nature of the immune sytem in vivo. Especially useful to researchers developing immuno-techniques as it gives detailed methodologies. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

A Fountain of Information in a Pot-Boiler of a Story
This book covers more than twenty-five years of the quest for a viable bacteria fighter recounting the lives of the major players and further depicting the slow progress of medical invention combating infection through all history. The most critical era of this story, however, is coincidently the most important and harrowing years of the 20th century. The all too real threat of a Nazis invasion of Great Britain served as the backdrop for this story's most vital moments.
Few would argue against the notion that the discovery and creation of Penicillin as a viable life saving medication is the most important medical event of the 20th century. Mr. Lax in a detailed, can't put it down, page-turner manages to incorporate the nuances of all of the disparate personalities of the main characters whose devotion to their science and unrelenting commitment to the saving of untold millions of lives refuse to be deterred by the often overwhelming obstacles that faced them each day. In this new century when bringing a drug to market is reputed to take upwards of 10 to 15 million dollars, we watch as Dr. Florey goes before his money sources for research at Oxford and other entities of the time in hopes of raising $100.00 for supplies and comes away with $25.00. (That's right, the decimal points were not misplaced) What we see to our amazement is that they made due.
Dr. Norman Heatley was a genius at coming up with a substitute for just about every necessary hospital research tool imaginable. We share his glee when he shows the rest of the team his latest Rube Goldberg contraption for making some vital process work.
There are countless anecdotes in the day-to-day stories of the mission's successes and failures, all notes and attributions are scrupulously noted by Mr. Lax.
Surreptitious night flights to America via Lisbon with blacked out plane windows, reminiscent of many wonderful movies of the forties portraying life risking events surrounded by war had me shaking my head not simply because of the inherent palpable drama but because it all really happened.
The Americans did lend support in terms of money and ingenuity but it was this team of Oxford scientists who would not be denied. Because of them millions of lives were saved before the end of World War Two and countless millions continue to be saved as a result of the second, third and fourth generations of anti-biotic drugs spawned by their initial discovery.
Mr. Lax has, to the great satisfaction of the reader, set the record straight. He gave credit where it was due without disparaging the reputations of any of many important contributors. It was pleasing and insightful to learn the true story of the greatest medical discovery of the century. Further, that these scientists did their work for the betterment of mankind rather than for the unabated lust for money and power that now confront us daily in news reports cannot be ignored.
My words and recollections only touch the tip of the iceberg that is this story, I urge everyone to pick up a copy of The Mold In Dr. Florey's Coat and then pass it on to a friend. Who knows maybe the notion of doing things for all of the right reasons might just start to spread. ... Read more

Book Description

Give PA applicants a competitive edge.

The best resource for anyone considering this career.

Getting Into the PA School of Your Choice, 2/e is a precise blueprint that addresses every step of the application process, including what schools look for in an applicant, financial aid, Internet resources, and information on PA programs.

*How to select a PA program
*Setting and achieving goals
*Comments, suggestions, and tips from current PA students
*Trends in PA programs- including excerpts from "PAs in the field" and salary profiles
*Expert advice on effective letters of recommendation Writing a quality essay-including sample “essays that worked”
*Interview strategies- including the toughest questions and answers
*Advice and contacts for financial aid
*Key web sites and Internet resources ... Read more

Reviews (9)

wished I'd found it sooner
This is a great behind-the-scenes view of the selection process. For me, the biggest difference it made was in my success in interviewing. Many PAs had said there was no way to study or prepare for these interviews...and they are WRONG! My only wish is that I had found it sooner.

The Greatest Asset for Entrance...
This book helped me in preparation for the written and interview portion for PA school. 90% of the questions asked during my interview is covered in this book. They mention the Do's and Don'ts for interview preparation. I highly recommend this book for any student who is serious about the PA profession. THANKS Rodican.....

THE book to get into PA School!
This is THE book you need to get into the PA school of your choice. My choice was the Stanford University Primary Care Associate Program (PCAP). I read this book, followed it's recommendations, read it again/used it as a reference, applied to one program, and was accepted... to the school of MY choice. If you have determined that a career in medicine as a PA is what you want to do, get this book, use it, and get into the school of YOUR choice!

Not for the experienced applicant
This book is fairly elementary and not very usefull to any one who has done any other reading about the application process for medical or physicians assitant schools.

The Best
This book helped me get into Cornell Medical PA program. This was my first choice, and I couldn't have done it without this book. ... Read more

Book Description

"I have advised countless medical students and applicants over more than two decades and I repeatedly found myself agreeing with the advice given by the Daneks." —Michael V. Drake, M.D.Professor and Associate Dean, School of Medicine University of California, San Francisco

"These authors have the experience, knowledge, and writing skills to lead the lost through the maze of uncertainties of medical schools and beyond."—Robert H. Shapiro, Ph.D.Academic Dean and Provost U.S. Naval Academy

"Any student thinking about a career in medicine should have this book."—Tyrone D. Taborn Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Career Communications Group, Inc.

Here, at last, is the book that will help you realize your dream of a career in medicine. Whether your goal is to work in a busy city hospital ER, as a country doctor, or in research, here you'll find innovative ways to actively plan and tailor your medical school education to meet your specific needs. Explore your many options with:

• Straight facts on the medical school admissions process
• Up-to-date information on the MCAT
• Advice on selecting the right medical school
• The current medical trends and the most attractive specialties

Reviews (13)

This is a great book
I have read this book a number of times over the past several years. I very much enjoyed reading it and felt it was instrumental in my journey towards medical school. I suggest it to any pre-med.

Read this book if you think you want to go to med school.
This is an excellent resource- honest and actually interesting to read. I only wish there were a little more advice for non-traditional students. Other than that, this book has been extremely helpful and really correlates with what medical students, doctors, and admissions people have told me. I highly recommend this book to anyone considering a career in medicine (especially if you're undecided).

Good only if your just starting your research
I found this book pretty superficial. It includes a lot of common sense ancedotes that, if you've done much research at all, will sound very repetitive.

It was a fast and boring read for me. If you want to read about being a physician Becoming a Doctor or Intern Blues are lot more meaty. And there's several better books about getting into medical school too.

A must read for anyone thinking of going into medicine
This was a well thought out and informative book. The authors not only go into the "right" reasons to become a doctor, but also the whole ordeal from pre-med to medical school. Worth every penny.

Great Information
This book outlines everything involved in considering a career in medicine. It is simple and clear! I read portions of the book to motivate me at times. ... Read more

Book Description

Making science more accessible than ever before!

The Essential Science series makes the difficult and fascinating world of cutting-edge science accessible to everyone with a stimulating mix of lively illustrations and jargon-free text. Important scientific theories are explained clearly in these authoritative guides that feature cross-references, glossaries, and thorough indexes. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

So little and so much
I have read several books on Quantum physics and I have never come accross such clear explanations on some strange concepts ranging from black body radiation to QED and Quantum teleportation. And in only 70 pages! I think Gribbin's strength is in its ability to explain advanced concepts from the layman's point of view. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the essential guide for the third-year medical student newly embarking upon ward rotations!It’s a strange new world out there, and this masterful handbook guides these oft-unprepared students through the maze of stressful duties and bizarre expectations that will be thrust upon them!How to be a Truly Excellent Junior Medical Student is written with cleverness, insight and wit, and is designed to give students the perspective they need to gain the most from their clinical training. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Must-read before starting your clinical clerkships!
Most Junior Medical Students (JMS's) feel intimidated when they begin their clinical year of medical school. You wanna learn how to cope up with this stress? Then buy this pocketbook !
Even though I bought it from Dalhousie University (Halifax) at the end of my junior clinical year, yet it was of great help to me later.

This pocketbook explores the world of the hospital, the role of each member, and how things are done in terms of writing notes, ordering tests, and performing procedures.

In Chapter 1, it introduces the JMS's to how a hospital works: (Outpatient vs. inpatient care, community vs. teaching hospitals, Private & staff patients, Nursing units & specialty services, Physician teams, Getting admitted to the hospital, Night calls, Ward routines from a patient's perspective).

Then the author talks in Chapter 2 about how to do stuff including reviewing a chart, writing orders, medications and prescriptions.

Chapter 3 teaches how to write notes (admission notes, internal medicine daily progress notes, discharge notes, notes for the Surgical care, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Neurology and Psychiatry).

Chapter 4 focuses on procedures, in terms of preparation, introduction to phlebotomy & IV placement, performing venipuncture, taking blood culture, arterial blood gases, ECG, lumbar puncture, NG tube & Dobhoff placement, placing a urinary catheter, and local anesthesia.

Chapter 5 deals with bedside tests including urinalysis and Gram stain.

Finally Chapter 6 teaches JMS's how to organize their data and schedule, and to make a good presentation.

This pocketbook comes in 124 pages, published by Tarascon Press, in its 6th edition, 2001.

The only drawback I found is that chapter 3 is entirely duplicated twice, at least in my copy. Other than that, I strongly recommend this pocketbook for med students before commencing their clinical clerkships.

I don't know how I could have survived my clerkships without
This book absolutely made hospital life clear to me in those terrifying first weeks of both my medical and my surgical clerkships. I think every single medical student should buy this book this second!

Has broad insights as well as nitty-gritty details
I have had the distinct pleasure of working with the author during medical school at Case Western Reserve University. He is an exceptional person--able to see the big picture as well as the small details. I read and re-read his book (which at that time was not really a book, but more of a packet)before each clerkship and found it to be very reassuring and insightful. I believe he wrote it just after he finished his third year--so it is right on-target for the intended audience.

On a general note, there really is not enough guidance for medical students as they struggle through the clinical years, but this book really does help. Be thankful that Dr. Lederman took the time to write it and publish it.

Medical student from CWRU School of Medicine
This is a must read for anyone who is about to go into their third year of medical school! It will help relieve the pressure you're feeling. ... Read more

Book Description

This versatile laboratory manual can be used with any undergraduate microbiology text and course. Known for its brief laboratory activities, minimal equipment requirements, and competitive price, the manual includes a variety of experiments selected to assist in the teaching of basic principles and techniques. Each of the 77 experiments includes an overview, a purpose, an in-depth discussion of the principle involved, easy-to-follow procedures, and lab reports with review and critical thinking questions. Comprehensive introductory material and laboratory safety instructions are provided.For college instructors and students. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fancy Cover, Bad Book
Quite Frankly, this new Holt Phyiscs book, does NOT cover all the content that is involved in the detailed study of Physics. Not only that, but it leaves out some of the most important principles that are in physics. For example, Chapter 5-2, we talk about Energy, it doesn't give the law of conservation of energy, which is one of the most important laws in physics. It also when talking about Newton's laws, doesn't use the ideas that Newton had. There are so many things missing, I could go on forever, I wish I could give this book a negative score, but I can't do so. I'm currently in Physics at my school, and I like to study Physics in my spare time. Serway is a very good author of the college books, that I have, but this one does not cut it for a full understanding of Physics.

Superb Physics book!
This was the text book used in my honors physics class. Though it may not go into extremely advanced issues, it does touch on A LOT of material, including basic collisions, fluids, rotational motion, relativity (a bit), and even some quantum mechanics. This book is definitely useful to anyone who wants a better education in basic physics and a start into somewhat beginner's advanced physics. ... Read more

Book Description

Already being hailed as "The Ultimate Review for Boards & Other exams, this book was designed to help you retain better and recall faster. Whether your goal is to "nail" your USMLE clinical steps 2 & 3 or your MEDICINE BOARDS, or you simply want to be the star on rounds & attending pimp sessions, we guarantee Turbo Mnemonics will markedly improve your study efficiency and win you a lot more points on rounds, rotations, and especially the BOARDS!

This book was created in order to make your study life and your medicine career easier. With over 400 anagrams and other mnemonics, tips, tricks, and shortcuts, this book LITERALLY spells out what you’ll have to know for the medicine components of your USMLE steps 2 & 3, and the MEDICINE BOARDS. Indeed, if you’re prepping now for the USMLE, you’ll be way ahead of the game when it comes time to take your medicine boards.

As you browse this book, you’ll find OVER 400 PRICELESS MEMORY AIDS on all your favorite subjects organized alphabetically by the disease or condition. In addition, you’ll definitely want take advantage of the APPENDIX section, which features a SUMMARY of all 400 memory aids found in the book with their page numbers to help you QUICKLY LOCATE your favorite mnemonics or just the information you need! Of course you may simply choose to take advantage of the well-designed and thorough Index section as a final means of look-up.

Each year Frontrunners offer it’s Saturday & Sunday WEEKEND MARATHON REVIEWS, covering 18 hours of highly intensive Internal Medicine Board Reviews, 9 hours each day, and typically offered the first weekend each August.Ideal for most physicians who can only spare a weekend because of a busy practice or residency schedule,it’s "fly in Friday evening; get back Sun evening". For upcoming dates/registration info for any of these weekends, CALL 866-MDBOARDs 8A-8P PST. Borrowing from our experience administering board reviews over the years, Frontrunners has passionately followed exam content for the medicine boards and the medicine components of the USMLE, as well as current trends in content. We want to be able to share those ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS with you now and do it in a way that is both engaging and, most importantly, memorable!

All of us remember what a lifesaver mnemonics were during our basic sciences, particularly when it came time for exams and tensions were running high. Memory aids saved us tons of time and always improved performance. But there are astonishingly few such resources available in clinical medicine, particularly when it comes to board preparation, certainly not on this magnitude. Clinical mnemonics aren’t only important because they help you remember better and recall quicker! They serve two other very important roles. First, they function as TEMPLATES to help you efficiently sort out, process, and even filter through information you’ve either already acquired or will acquire post-Turbo Mnemonics. In their role as functional templates, you’ll also be able SIFT THROUGH THE JUNK and reach correct diagnoses much more quickly and with greater ease, particularly when faced with cases on the boards or the wards. Secondly, clinical mnemonics also provide a sound FRAMEWORK on which to build your ever-growing medical database. As you acquire new info, you’ll know EXACTLY WHERE TO HANG IT in on your framework and you’ll see exactly how it fits into the bigger picture! That may even be the biggest advantage of all.

Most all of us would agree that intelligence & performance don’t necessarily jive when it comes to standardized exams. Sure, brains matter. Of course, study time matters. Perhaps the most important element, however, is WHAT you study, that is, what MENTAL TOOLSyou take into the exam with you.

Speaking of having the right tools for the job, we highly recommend using Turbo Mnemonics in conjunction with NAIL THE BOARDS, an equally awesome and fully-outlined review of internal medicinefor board exams in approx 350 pages. FRONTRUNNERS’ INTERNAL MEDICINE Q&A REVIEW is the Q&A COMPANION to Nail the Boards, and features over 1200 quick, content-driven Q&A to supplement your own board review. See the last page of this book for more information on these excellent resources.

Here’s to you achieving all your goals in medicine. We’ll see you at the top!!

Bradley D. Mittman, MD
FRONTRUNNERS BOARD REVIEW, INC ... Read more

Book Description

Succeed in the Clerkship, Impress on the Wards
* High-Yield Topics
* Student-Recommended Resources, Opportunities,Scholarships

REAL ANSWERS TO CLERKSHIP QUESTIONS
* The only student-to-student, step-by-step guide to clerkship success
* Detailed how-to-succeed and what-to-study guidance from ob/gyn clerkship vets
* Hundreds of recently tested high-yield topics from shelf exams and the USMLE Step 2
* Insider tips for outstanding performance from students who’ve been there
* "Classifieds" do the research for you, featuring high-yield websites andtop extracurricular opportunities and scholarships
* Tear-out cards with essential wards information in pocket-ready format

The Student-to-Student Guide
* Discover med students’ "secret weapon" for the clinical clerkship
* Impress on the wards and succeed in the clerkship
* Get answers to shelf-exam questions from students whopassed
* Save time with high-yield topics, mnemonics, and pocket-ready reminders
* Apply the First Aid formula for clerkship success! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great book, but...
I agree with the other (all 5-star) ratings up to this point--the book (and others in the series I have used) is quite good, with clear, well-summarized material. There are a few caveats, however:
1. In this 1st edition, there are many typos. Most are obvious (mispelling, repeating a word or phrase or phrase twice in a row, etc.), but betray a lack of proofreading. I THINK all the important information is accurate, but the typos don't inspire confidence...
2. The font size is big, the line spacing generous, and there's lots of white space on the pages, which makes for easy reading, but as a result it's not a small book. It would be nice if some of the font sizing/line spacing were sacrificed for a more pocketable book that might fit in a white coat, like the "Recall" series.
3. The "Blueprints" series is very similar to this "First Aid" series, with the addition of a test prep. question/answer section in the back. It would be nice if First Aid had SOME sort of review mechanism--maybe Q/A's at the end of each chapter or at the end of the book.

Overall, it's a good series, even with my "gripes."

First Aid for the OB/Gyn clerkship
This is great for MSIIIs starting their OB/Gyn Clerkship--it covers all of the high points of the field in a very clear format and prepares students well for their Shelf exam at the end of the rotation.

Excellent book...
If you don't want to plow through 600+ pages of Beckmann, or some other text (i.e. you aren't aiming to specialize in OB/Gyn), you'll love this book. Information is well organized and easy to get through if you enjoy the First Aid format. I never liked the texts...I loved the BRS outline style and First Aid books. I haven't taken the shelf exam yet, but as for my last 2 months on the wards, this book has been a great resource.

Excellent Presentation
The authors have done an outstanding job. This book manages to simplify what is normally complex. A great tool for students.

Very Helpful and Informative
I found this book extrememly helpful and informative. All of the information was presented in a logical and easy to follow manner. ... Read more

Book Description

This book will be of value both to scientists and to undergraduate and graduate students who want to write successful grant or research proposals.For scientists, today's environment of limited funding from Congress and private foundations means that grant proposals must be effective, competitive, and readable.The book is designed to provide a guide to writing proposals and improving their overall quality. For graduate students in the natural sciences, courses on proposal development and writing are increasingly part of the curriculum--this book is, in fact, derived from a course taught by the authors at Dartmouth.Increasingly, research design is a part of the curriculum for undergraduates in science.This book will provide guidance during the conceptualization and formulation of a research plan as well as give specific information for effectively organizing and presenting material in a format widely used for proposal submissions. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good overview of the content and organization of a proposal
Friedland and Folt provide a very nice, concise guide to writing research proposals. They go over the organization of the proposal, what is important to get across in what sections, and also touch on the "storytelling" aspects, such as funneling from broad themes to specifics. I also found useful the list a range of funding sources.

The only major drawback to the book as a general reference is that it is heavily oriented towards experimental biology. Much of the nuts-and-bolts advice doesn't apply to theoretical work, and little or no equivalent advice is given for theoretical proposals.

Frieland and Folt a Success
Friedland and Folt are the Strunk and White of proposal writing. They have written a clear, concise guide to scientific proposal writing that captures the essence of the scientific enterprise.

Essential reading for all beginning PhD students
Writing a PhD prospectus can be pretty intimidating. Where do you start? What do you include? What do you not include? This little book has the answers, and it has been an enormous help to me as I write my own proposal. Friedland and Folt's book is very clear and well-written, and full of practical information on how to write a clear, concise, and exciting proposal. Exercises along the way help to guide you step-by-step through the whole thought process. With this book in hand, writing a prospectus almost seems easy! This book should be sent to all first-year students, along with their registration materials. ... Read more

Book Description

In a spellbinding narrative that skillfully weaves together cutting-edge research among today's foremost scientists, theoretical physicist Michio Kaku--author of the bestselling book Hyperspace--presents a bold, exhilarating adventure into the science of tomorrow.

In Visions, Dr. Kaku examines in vivid detail how the three scientific revolutions that profoundly reshaped the twentieth century--the quantum, biogenetic, and computer revolutions--will transform the way we live in the twenty-first century.The fundamental elements of matter and life--the particles of the atom and the nucleus of the cell--have now been decoded, closing one of the great chapters of scientific history.But this is just the preface to an even more far-reaching scientific revolution, as we make the transition from being passive observers of the mysteries of nature to becoming masters of nature, able to manipulate matter, life, and intelligence to remold the world around us.

In the first part of Visions, Dr.Kaku discusses the cyber future, when millions of microprocessors are scattered throughout our environment; when the iron principle that has ruled the computer industry, Moore's Law, finally collapses, forcing scientists to adopt startling new designs like DNA computers and quantum computers; and when artificial intelligence systems finally arrive.

In the next section, Dr. Kaku shows how the decoding of DNA will allow us to conquer devastating genetic diseases, defeat many cancers at the molecular level, synthesize new medicines using virtual reality, grow new organs, conquer aging and reshape our genetic inheritance.

Finally, he explores how quantum physicists will perfect new ways to harness the cosmic energy of the universe--from molecular machines to supermagnets that may energize a second industrial revolution, to powerful fusion engines that one day may take us to the stars.

What makes Michio Kaku's vision of the future of science so compelling and authoritative is that it is based on the groundbreaking research already underway at leading laboratories around the world.Weaving interviews with over 150 scientists--several of them Nobel laureates--into a rich, inspiring narrative, Dr. Kaku reveals the growing consensus among key scientists about how science will likely evolve through the early, middle, and late years of the twenty-first century.

An intimate, thrilling tour through the next century of science, Visions is a riveting, essential map to how scientists will reshape our future. ... Read more

Reviews (49)

a whirlwind tour of tomorrow's breathtaking technologies
In "Visions," theoretical physicist Kaku describes the boundless new technologies that will become available in the next hundred years and beyond, in three general areas: computers and information technology, biotechnology, and fundamental physics. The ideas presented are based on extensive consultation with experts in a variety of fields, and are thrilling prospects that are as well grounded in current authority as might be expected in the dicey business of predicting the future flow of technological progress.

The predictions on information technology detail ever more free-flowing information outlets and ubiquitous computerized devices. The predictions of biotechnology are perhaps the most exciting, offering a wide look at how much more advanced medicine will soon become in diagnosing and preventing cancers and other critical diseases years earlier than is possible now. Kaku describes how this will come about from the increasing understanding of the human genome and the application of electronic and information technology to biotechnology. Curiously, the third section, on fundamental physics, which actually is Kaku's area of expertise, seems the least imaginative and the most rushed. It's hard to give anything more than a cursory glance in going from coverage of current-day projects to considering warp drives, alien intelligences, and alternate universes in under 100 pages. This is made worse when Kaku stops firmly in the present to criticize nuclear power plants and the International Space Station.

Overall, it's an authoritatively speculative look at these three areas of technological promise, although the format is a little strained. If you are unfamiliar with all of these areas and want a brief introduction to each, this is an ideal place to look. Despite Kaku's misgivings about a few technological choices, he is an effective evangelist for the faith in human understanding.

A Physicist Looks at the Future
Superstring physicist Michio Kaku turns his eyes to the future, and sees many bright developments in the 21st century. What is really remarkable about this book is Kaku's ability to explain in a clear way how the Quantum revolution of the turn of the previous century has dramatically effected, or perhaps invented, the three great revolutions of the 20th century: computers, biotechnology, and quantum physics. Kaku is especially good in outlining his reasons for his view of the future; and gives pretty reasonable timelines for the achievement of certain goals. The book is easy for a layperson to read and understand, and gives a good overview of scientific development. Well worth reading, at times profound.

Quite a payload of food for thought
The intriguing and "user friendly" personality that brought you Hyperspace (Michio Kaku) returns with a heavyweight in revolutionary scientific information. This book will leave you dizzy with concrete facts as well as potential possibilities throughout different areas of biology, technology, and physics. Geniously organized, this book begins by summarizing the different areas of science and their cross-influences, then opens up a whole new world in each respective subject. From artificial intelligence to genetics and (of course) a touch of quantum physics, this book will bring the tingling excitement of a fantastical future realistically close. With insights on economic growth and influences on society, this book shows that world of science fiction luxury and awe is not so far off at all. A great way to broaden your perspectives in one handy book.

Informative
I hate futuristic books. I don't like raw speculation. So this book, given to me as a gift, surprised me. Written by a reputable high energy physicist who's taken the trouble to understand details of ideas far afield from his own, the book is a gem, written like a scientific novel. In place of futuristic speculation we're presented with well-established ideas in highly readable form. The chapters on DNA and Cancer alone make the book worth reading. Other recommended, very readable, books providing more detail are "One Renegade Cell" and "Genome".

An irritation: the author shoots half-heartedly from the hip against reductionism on pp. 10-12. The problem is that there is no falsifiable alternative to reductionism, or the isolation of cause and effect. So-called holism is a vague, not mathematically formulable notion. Holism in biology remains an empty hope. Schrödinger explained in "What is Life" why evolution can only be understood at the molecular scale and never at the macroscopic scale. Every mathematical model that succeeds empirically is a form of reductionism. Quantum physics (including all of chemistry) reduces phenomena to atoms and molecules, cell biology reduces phenomena largely to genes and proteins, SOC (self organized criticality) hopes to reduce nature to sand grains and sandpiles, network enthusiasts hope to reduce phenomena to nodes and links (wait until they try to do dynamics empirically correctly...). Economics (beyond finance) so far has failed as scientific theory because it cannot find any suitable "invariant units" to build a theory on, human preferences having failed to do the job. Computerization and advances in biology (all via reductionism, by the way) do not and cannot change these facts. Let me state this challenge to the author and to other critics of reductionism: present us with something nonreductionist that is empirically correct. Until then, be pleased to restrain yourselves from purely speculative and totally unproductive criticism of science.

A brilliant and thought-provoking celebration of knowledge
Visions is a brilliant journey into the world of tomorrow. It is full of informative and thought-provoking questions.

Visions raises points regarding the human craving for knowledge and technology, and the irreducible chaos that we may encounter in the future because of our manipulation of the planet and our bodies.

His writing again comes about lively and envigorating. His thoughts and explanation of issues are balanced and allow the reader to dwell deep into complex matters without him or her requiring a doctorate in the sciences.

This is another wonderful and excellent book that our Dr. Kaku has developed. Bravo! ... Read more

Book Description

"A useful and accessible framework for understanding the decision-making process that underlies the 'making' of data. The text offers explanations of how and why choices can be made in accordance with fundamental notions of methodological purposivenessand methodological congruence. A particular value of this text is its highlighting of decisions that underlie one's use of computer applications in the organization and analysis of research data. The text also provides useful distinctions among phenomenological, ethnographic, and grounded theory approaches to fieldwork."

Tom Schram, Education, University of New Hampshire

Offering a map to show readers how some methodological choices lead more directly than others to particular goals, this book provides beginning researchers with an overview of techniques for making data, and an explanation of the ways different tools fit different purposes and provide different research experiences and outcomes. The authors clearly explain why there are many methods and show readers how to locate their study within that choice. Written to be a pragmatic companion, this text will help readers get confidently and competently started on a research path that will work for their study.

Features/Benefits:

• Tutorials: Provide readers with the opportunity to practice tasks to do with the data provided in the Appendices or with the reader’s own data. The tutorials can be performed in conjunction with the data provided on the CD.
• Software Demo CD: Provides an opportunity to try some of the tools available in modern software by using QSR’s NVivo product with the data from two real projects, Barbara Lloyd’s "Body Images" study based on focus groups and semi-structured interviews with school students, and Paul Thompson’s "100 Families" life history study.
• Suggested Reading Resources: Grouped by category, these end of chapter resources offer researchers an excellent guide for further information on specific qualitative approaches, writing, design, etc.

Book Description

Daniel C. Liebler masterfully introduces the science of proteomics by spelling out the basics of how one analyzes proteins and proteomes, and just how these approaches are then employed to investigate their roles in living systems. He explains the key concepts of proteomics, how the analytical instrumentation works, what data mining and other software tools do, and how these tools can be integrated to study proteomes. Also discussed are how protein and peptide separation techniques are applied in proteomics, how mass spectrometry is used to identify proteins, and how data analysis software enables protein identification and the mapping of modifications. In addition, there are proteomic approaches for analyzing differential protein expression, characterizing proteomic diversity, and dissecting protein–protein interactions and networks. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Very readable introduction to Proteomics
This very readable book provides an excellent overview of proteomics. It gives a survey of techniques, comparing them and explaining why and when they are used. This is not the place to learn any method in detail. But it is the only book I have seen that you can read cover to cover in a few days and get the big picture of the field. Some caveats: each chapter has only 3 or 4 references, and the book focuses on methods connected to mass spectrometry. But if you want a quick and pleasant introduction to methods for purifying and identifying proteins, including discussions of ICAT, protein complexes and post-translation modifications, I highly recommend this book.

Good information, poor organization
There really are lots of good facts in this book. Somehow, though, they never come together to form a coherent whole.

Most chapters read like essays, meant to stand on their own. That means that many chapters repeat introductory material already covered, and remake points already made. Yes, I appreciate that silver staining does not properly represent the whole range of protein expression levels. I do not appreciate the need to stat that three or four times.

Despite its "Introduction" title, the author seems to forget what a novice will need to learn. For example, there's a discussion of isoelectric focussing for protein separation. That includes mention of the technique's history, and why it used to have reproducibility problems. I never did see an exact description of what the techique actually is or how it works, though. Likewise, the author describes a number of important software packages used in proteomics. There are no screen shots, though, comparisons of capabilities, details of usage, or even references for letting me find out more on my own.

When I got to the the end of this book, I wanted to go back and review a few points. Because of the generally poor organization, it was always a struggle to figure out just which discussion covered the topics I wanted.

Other books cover almost all of this title's content, and do so more clearly. I suggest that the interested reader keep on looking. ... Read more

Book Description

Imre Lakatos' philosophical and scientific papers are published here in two volumes. Volume I brings together his very influential but scattered papers on the philosophy of the physical sciences, and includes one important unpublished essay on the effect of Newton's scientific achievement. Volume II presents his work on the philosophy of mathematics (much of it unpublished), together with some critical essays on contemporary philosophers of science and some famous polemical writings on political and educational issues. Imre Lakatos had an influence out of all proportion to the length of his philosophical career. This collection exhibits and confirms the originality, range and the essential unity of his work. It demonstrates too the force and spirit he brought to every issue with which he engaged, from his most abstract mathematical work to his passionate 'Letter to the director of the LSE'. Lakatos' ideas are now the focus of widespread and increasing interest, and these volumes should make possible for the first time their study as a whole and their proper assessment. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Methods of Scientific Research
Philosophy of Science is a crucial subset of philosophy, since it directly affects scientific research. We need to know what constitutes a properly constructed theory, and more to the point, which claims are not theoretical, or perhaps not even scientific. With that goal established, we need to know how to empirically verify the theory in question. Theories are developed within axiomatic systems, are based on assumptions, and present us with a compact thesis, or a set of theses. A theory is scientific if we can falsify it with empirical data. If a theory is not testable, then it is not a good theory, since we cannot accept or reject its propositions. An obvious point is to be raised here - when and under which conditions shall we reject a theory?

Methodological studies flourished in the XX century with the works of Karl Popper, Milton Friedman, Imre Lakatos, Harold Kuhn, Paul Feyerabend and other philosophers. The contribution of Imre Lakatos was significant. With his version of corroboration and refined fascificationism we were able to apply new standards towards the methods of rejection of scientific theories. A single rejection of the scientific theory is not likely to falsify it, unlike advocated previously. However, the main point is that while the absolute truth is always of importance, i.e. whether a given theory is considered "true" because we have not been able to negatively falsify that theory; it is more important that various theories can be compared to each other, even if they are all imperfect. To this end, we can specify a set of thresholds, and say that a research programme A is more empirically valid than a research programme B if it does withstand a larger number of empirical tests. Of course, as simple as it sounds, it is a useful method of evaluation of theories, and can be augmented as needed within a given science.

Philosophy of Science and methodology is of utmost importance to theorists, since more often than not, nonscientific methods of theory construction are used, and even worse, empirical data are inductively used to hypothesize about the causes for the pattern of these data. It's methodologically invalid and by construction, these theories are not falsifiable since they are derived from data. This is true especially within economic theory; labor economics and macroeconomics in particular.

The works of Lakatos are summarized and condensed in various descriptive volumes on the Philosophy of Science, however it is illuminating to read the original works of this ingenious philosopher, since by doing so you gain an additional layer of understanding.

I will not go as far as saying that it should have been a must reading for any scientist, since such proposition would be hardly realistic, but I will say that it is a treat for those who have already tasted methodology in a compact form, and would like to expand their knowledge. ... Read more

Book Description

Will you be a winner on Match Day?

In late March, a life-changing day occurs for students at medical schools across the United States.On Match Day, students learn where they will be pursuing their residency training.For some, it is a time to rejoice.For others, however, there is bitter disappointment when the match does not turn out as expected.

Every year there are medical students who do not match at any residency program.There are many others who do match but are disappointed to learn that they did not match at one of their top programs.These outcomes often leave students wondering what went wrong along the way.

During every step of the residency application process, mistakes can be made that prevent you from matching with the residency program of your choice.Although these errors have been well known to those involved in the resident selection process, they are not well recognized by students applying for residency.

This book identifies the 101 all-too-common mistakes students make during the residency application process.It shows you how to avoid them so you don't fall into the same traps.Here are some of the mistakes you'll learn to avoid:

Mistakes made
On the CV
On the personal statement
When interviewing
When ranking residency programs
And much more

Take charge of the residency application process, instead of letting it take charge of you. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Very helpful book that saves you time
The fourth year of medical school can be a stressful, demanding time. This books cuts down on the amount of necessary reading that you must do in order to match well. The book is a fast read that highlights the most important mistakes that others have made during the match process. It lets you in on tips on all subjects - from forming your CV to obtaining your letters of recommendation to developing your personal statement and preparing for interviews.
I found the sections about the CV and personal statement very helpful and much easier to read than those same sections in a larger book about the match. The section on letters of recommendation was important because it directed me on the proper way to ask for and to attain the best letters of recommendation. The interview section contains good reminders of things that seem common sense but which you don't necessarily think about. It also has several tips about subjects I had not thought about (for example, you should have a case ready to present your interviewer), as well as questions you will be asked in interviews and questions you should ask the interviewer.
Overall, this is an easy to read book that I would definitely recommend because it contains all the essentials to matching in your ideal residency spot. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Good concept but badly flawed
The approach this book takes is pretty good, I think. It starts with a bit of history, a description of the scientific method, and then some important concepts like significant digits and the difference between accuracy and precision. Lots of quizzes and tests to help you gauge your progress.

But the errors! I can't believe how sloppy this book is. Typos and mistakes everywhere. And big topics are slurred over, leading to massive confusion. A formula is given in the text, 2n^s. It quickly became apparent that it should have been 2n^2. And there are brief references to the s, d, p and f electron shells, but the way these are referred to in notation is never explained. Awful! Maddening!

I finally gave up in disgust; this one is going back, and I'm getting a refund.

It seems that the emphasis on sloppy, hasty publishing is spilling over from the IT book industry into other books. The author mentions that suggestions for a future edition are welcome. Here's one: TRY PROOFREADING.

Too many errors
I made it to page 64 before I returned the book. There are just too many errors. Example 1: p23 477/5 = 70 NOT! Example 2: p43 claims that a periodic table chart is on the inside cover of the book. NOT! Example 3: p48, question 8 the right answer does not appear in any of the choices! Example 4: p64 A Molecule is composed of the same kinds of atoms, chemically bonded. NOT! (what about H20, get rid of the phrase "the same kinds of atoms") Example 5: p39, para 3 claims that the number 16, 32, 79!, and 128 are all multiples of the number 16 NOT! Don't buy this one. The writing style is accessible but there are too many errors.

this book is a great helper and refresher
this book is really good and working out for me. This book makes chemistry fun and simple to learn. i have to take a series of chemistry classes starting next semester and i feel that this book is reinforcing what i have already learned and reteaching this stuff in a way to where it is easier to understand and i like it and would recomend this book to anyone.

Don't waste your money
This book is a horrible waste of trees. Aside from the errors and omissions, it is condescending, thin in content (filled out with quizzes that take up many of the pages), and generally useless for any meaningful introduction to or overview of chemistry. I would give it zero stars if that were an option. Try the old workhorse "Chemistry Made Simple" instead.

An excellent tutorial
Chemistry was never my best subject, especially after high school. I couldn't grasp the concepts. This book defines things well, and the format is straightforward. After finishing this book I was not so confused anymore. There are other books in this same series (like biology, physics, trigonometry, calculus, etc.) all written in this same format. I have checked them out of the local library and recommend any or all of them, especially for home schooling, which I, the quintessential desert rat, am doing with all my kids. This book should be good for anybody who has had trouble with chemistry. It can help you get over the fear. ... Read more

Book Description

The development of American medical education involved a conceptual revolution in how medical students should be taught. With the introduction of laboratory and hospital work, students were expected to be active participants in their learning process, and the new goal of medical training was to foster critical thinking rather than the memorization of facts. InLearning to Heal, Kenneth Ludmerer offers the definitive account of the rise of the modern medical school and the shaping of the medical profession.