Book Description

Essentials of Research Design and Methodology contains practical information on how to design and conduct scientifc research. Packaged in the engaging Essentials format, students and practitioners in the behavioral sciences and related disciplines will gain important insight into identifying research topics and variables and selecting research approaches, as well as data collection and assessment strategies, interpretation methods, and important ethical and legal considerations. Perfect for courses on research design, this volume is also must-reading for anyone conducting research as well as consumers of research data. ... Read more

Book Description

Emphasizes the strategy of experimentation, data analysis, and the interpretation of experimental results.
* Features numerous examples using actual engineering and scientific studies.
* Presents statistics as an integral component of experimentation from the planning stage to the presentation of the conclusions.
* Deep and concentrated experimental design coverage, with equivalent but separate emphasis on the analysis of data from the various designs.
* Topics can be implemented by practitioners and do not require a high level of training in statistics.
* New edition includes new and updated material and computer output. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

well written applications-oriented text
Mason, Gunst and Hess have done a great deal of consulting in industry which has provided them with an understanding of the design and analysis of linear and nonlinear models. In fact, I have had some direct experience with Bob Mason from Southwest Research Institute. When I was working at a medical device company owned by St. Jude Medical Inc., Southwest Research Institute had been contracted to analyze data from one of our animal experiments for defibrillation thresholds. As the new statistician in the company I needed to get acquainted with their work. The book illustrates many designs using real world problems. The first 5 chapters (88 pages) cover elementary statistical concepts and methods. The next 6 chapters (145 pages) cover designs. Most standard designs are covered including full factorials, balanced incomplete blocks, latin squares, fractional factorials and nested and crossover designs. There is also a chapter on response surface designs including rotatable designs, central composite designs and Box-Behnken designs. The rest of the book, some 368 pages, deals with statistical analysis of data from designed experiments. It makes a very good reference source.

The only disadvantage of it is that there have been many advances in the design of experiments since 1989 when the book was published. The topic of robust parameter design is not covered because much of the development occurred after 1989. Hints of the topic and mention of the Taguchi approach appear only on pages 108-110. To learn much more about the recent developments in the design of experiments see Hamada and Wu (2000) "Experiments". My review of Hamada and Wu can be found on Amazon.

Design and experimental
Anova,multi stage charterlisti ... Read more

Book Description

Few technical manuals have become standards in biomedicine. Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, by Ed Harlow and David Lane, has had that status for a decade. Now there is a new and even higher standard—Using Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual.

Harlow and Lane have completely revised their guide to the use of immunoglobulin reagents in the laboratory. Chapters have been entirely rewritten, reorganized, and updated to provide background, context, and step-by-step instructions for techniques that range from choosing the right antibody and handling it correctly, to the proper methods for characterizing antigens in cells and solutions. New chapters on tagging proteins and epitope mapping are included.

Rather than presenting an array of solutions for working with antibodies and antigens, Using Antibodies instead identifies in each case the best approach to specific problems. These recommendations include more detail in the protocols, extensive advice on avoiding and solving problems, information regarding proper controls, and extensive illustration of theory, methods, and results, both good and bad. An additional bonus included with this manual is a set of Portable Protocols, step-by-step instructions for the most frequently used and essential techniques printed on spill-proof, durable cards that can be annotated and used directly at the bench.

The expert advice in Using Antibodies is presented using an imaginative design with extensive use of color and graphic elements calculated to help readers plan and execute their experiments efficiently and accurately. A newly available type of binding will maintain the manual's integrity during years of use. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Should be [less money], Not [more money]!
Although I liked the outdated 1988 version of this book, this one is extremely simplistic and omits much of the previously included material. Most of the information included can be found on the web and is shallow compared to Current Protocols or other texts. Although it serves as a reasonable introduction for novices to this area it's extremely overpriced for [money]!!!

I would reccomend Monoclonal Antibodies by Goding ([money]),

Two Thumbs Up
This is an exceptional reference for anyone using abtibodies in the laboratory. It is a *must-have* for anyone venturing into unknown teritory. For the experienced individual forced to bang out new protocols with a cranky antibody, this reference is priceless. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Highly Recommended
"...unique and I highly recommend it as a first book on programming for biology-oriented professionals interested in using perl...excellent for self-study...can also be a great resource as classroom material..." (Clinical Chemistry, Vol. 50, No. 2, 2004) ... Read more

Book Description

An understanding of the changing relationships within systems is an integral part of the study of a variety of disciplines. The second edition of Dynamic Modeling gives a thorough introduction to modeling by teaching the reader both to build and to use a wide range of models, including those for biological, physical, social and economic systems. In conjunction with STELLA software provided with the book, the reader has an easy-to-use tool to visualize all types of dynamic systems.

Even more examples of theory and applications from the modeling community have been added to the second edition. For example, the authors have expanded their treatment of population cohort models and then applied it to the dynamics of the U.S. population. They have enriched the discussion of positive feedbacks, enlarged the section on genetics, and provided more applications to the study of diseases. The economics section of the book includes models from game theory and market dynamics that result from the combined effects of inventory changes and producer expectations. The set of engineering models of gravity and acceleration also includes examples of mechanical amplifiers, which are illustrated by the workings of a playground swing. With each model discussed, the book emphasizes the need to learn the concepts and tools of the model for the purpose of generating new insights, streamlining the problem-solving process, and fostering creative thinking and modeling in other areas in inquiry as well.

In addition to the new topics, many chapters have been revised and updated to make more extensive use of new model-development features of STELLA. All models and a run-time version of the STELLA software are included with the book on a CD-ROM, which is compatible with both Macintosh and Windows platforms.

From a review of first edition: "[The authors] demonstrate convincingly that given the appropriate software, such as the STELLA II provided on the accompanying disks, one can learn a lot about building and experimenting with and simulating dynamic models in a number of fields ... Highly recommended for all studying model building and practical applications of systems theory." - Choice ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Dynamic Modeling, Second Edition
This is an excellent book for beginning and intermediate modelers. I found it to be engaging, practical, and easy to understand. Dynamic modeling has become an essential tool to facilitate understanding developments in our increasingly complex and interdependent world, to communicate ideas across disciplinary boundaries, and to help solve problems. This book is a great place to begin. It offers a hands-on introduction to dynamic modeling.

The authors start with an easy to understand, step-by-step description of the modeling process, key principles of modeling, and general methods of modeling. This is followed-up with and numerous examples from chemistry, genetics, ecology, economics, and engineering. But this is not just a book to read. The book comes with run-time versions of the easy to learn STELLA and Madonna software as well as copies of the various models developed in each of the 37 chapters.

The authors encourage readers to build the models themselves as they work through the chapters, and then explore the dynamics by experimenting with the models. This is an active, fun way to learn. It definitely helped me to expand my systems thinking capability. Although my substantive interest is organizations, I learned a great deal by analogy from working through models of problems from other disciplines. Basic systems principles apply across disciplines, and useful insights can be gleaned from recognizing similar dynamic structures underlying different systems.

I particularly liked the instruction by example that is used throughout this book. I learned so much from this book because the reading and modeling, modeling and reading formed a positive feedback loop. The reading provided direction and engaged me in the modeling, and the modeling clarified and reinforced the concepts in the reading. Drawing from my experience with this book, I think it is ideal for those who are just getting started in dynamic modeling or have been learning for several years but want to sharpen and expand their systems thinking and modeling skills.

Great blend of concept and practice
I have been involved in static data modeling as part of database design throughout my career, and because of that know very well that to really learn how to model, you have to do more than listen to lectures or read a text. This book, along with the accompanying STELLA modeling tool, is an excellent blend of concept and practice.

The book begins with a short tutorial of the STELLA tool, a run-time version of which is included. (STELLA is very easy to use, and although the math underlying it relies heavily on differential equations, the user can be completely removed from that and still model effectively.) The early chapters gradually develop an understanding of dynamic modeling by building on basic concepts. The following chapters work through models in various areas, such as genetics, economics, and ecology, and provide exposure to modeling in these disciplines, as well as introducing some very interesting aspects of models, such as chaos, randomness, and non-predictable results.

By way of introduction to modeling concepts, case studies are presented clearly and concisely. These are followed by an explanation of a basic model of the system being examined. There are always additional questions that lead to expansion of the ideas being presented, so that the reader can increase their understanding and have opportunities to practice the skills presented.

I used this book for a course in Dynamic Modeling, and found it to be great in presenting the basic concepts of dynamic modeling and in developing a heightened awareness that any system being studied is really a dynamic process. It took this understanding to the next step and showed how to model that process and how to run the model and watch the dynamics in action, while honing the skills of analyzing, refining, and looking for trends and unanticipated results. The book opened up a whole new way of viewing systems for me.

Stimualting book for those interested in System Dynamics
The book is extremely well written and is so far the best attempt by any author(s)to achieve the right mix of theory and practice in the field of system dynamics. The organization of contents of the book is unique and it highlights the potential use of system dynamics principles for modeling a variety of hydro, ecological, environmental and engineered systems. The principles of system dynamics modeling and the complexities of physical systems are clearly explained by the authors and real-world examples from a number of disciplines are provided. Modelers can benefit from the actual code/examples from the simulation modeling environment, STELLA. The book includes a CD-ROM with all the examples/models discussed in the text to enhance the learning experience of modelers. ... Read more

Book Description

Sherri Jackson's straightforward, conversational introduction to statistics presents just what its title promises -- a plain-and-simple overview of statistics that is clear, concise, and sparing in its use of jargon. Ideal for behavioral sciences majors who need to grasp basic concepts quickly, Jackson's text is designed to quickly build students' confidence in understanding, calculating, and interpreting statistics. It instills a strong awareness of the interaction between statistical methods and research methods. It also provides a solid working knowledge of basic statistical cautions in research design, a strong understanding of the concept of significance, and the critical thinking skills necessary to apply these ideas. This paperback book's modular format (17 modules across 6 sections) chunks the material into small segments that make even difficult concepts manageable. Jackson shows why each new statistical technique is necessary before explaining it, and skillfully uses narrative to connect one module to the next. The end of each module features a summary review table, "Critical Thinking Check" items (with answers) review of key terms, and "Module Exercises" to help students master key concepts. At the end of each of the 6 sections, a detailed self-test lets students check their understanding of the concepts. These pedagogical features are a perfect complement to Jackson's narrative, as they serve to further build students' confidence with statistical ideas. ... Read more

Book Description

Yeast is an ideal eukaryotic microorganism for biochemical and genetic studies, particularly since its complete genome sequence became available.The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Yeast Genetics Course has kept pace with the field over the last 30 years, combining essential standard methods with the latest technologies, and its course manual has followed suit.In the new 2000 edition, most of the experiments have been revised and several new experiments and techniques have been added, including the 2-hybrid system, PCR-based methods, and isolation of chromatin. This manual remains a primary source for newcomers to the field as well as the established investigator, providing complete, detailed protocols and techniques of proven robustness. ... Read more

Book Description

What do a drought in New York and an earthquake in Seattle have to do with a "nanotube" a few billionths of a meter long at the University of Tokyo?

Our Molecular Future reveals a striking new possibility: We are on the verge of being able to protect ourselves from nature’s worst attacks. Tools such as carbon nanotubes may help us cope in ways that until now have been described as science fiction.

If we succeed, we might solve a troubling question about scientific research: Why risk it? Why risk powerful new technologies that may destroy us?

With compelling evidence, Douglas Mulhall shows that the answers to such questions may be found by focusing on what the environment does to us, rather than only what we do to the environment.

His book shows where our technologies might be heading, what may stop us from getting there, and how to use the benefits to minimize the downsides.

The good news is that we may enter a future that's so fantastic, it's unbelievable.

The bad news is that many of us don't believe it, and so we may not be ready to cope.

By revealing the threads that tie our fate to new technologies, this book helps us get ready.

First, we have to ask the right questions. Mulhall emphasizes that this book defines those questions, rather than pretending to have quick or detailed answers.

Here are examples:

Molecular technologies aren’t just confined to a few university think tanks. Nor are they confined to an elite among the superpowers, big business, or government. Their roots are embedded in the fabric of our industries, research institutes, and military. They are found in wealthy and poor nations alike. The foundations for these technologies are so pervasive that it’s hard to describe them without starting an encyclopedia.

Our Molecular Future condenses this knowledge and gives us broad overviews of who’s doing what, where. By so doing, the book shows us why these technologies pose such deep challenges to conventional thinking about business and environment.

Yet, how vulnerable is this technological juggernaut to being thrown backward or blasted down the wrong path by nature’s violent attacks?

In ninety seconds, the Great Kanto Earthquake annihilated Japan’s centralized economy in 1923. It was so severe that the country was in no shape to weather the Great Depression. Such instability helped open the door for a military government. After the military took over, war in Southeast Asia—and then the Pacific—broke out.

Might this recur today? What about similar such risks in America? What if the largest earthquake in America’s history was to hit again? Surprisingly, it didn’t occur in San Francisco, or on the quake-prone West Coast. Our Molecular Future reveals the location and the implications.

Property loss is increasing worldwide, due to unrestricted development in risky hurricane and earthquake zones. Perversely, this can actually improve economic conditions for some sectors in the short term, by fueling construction booms after disasters. Such short-term rebounds are often generated by insurance settlements.

Yet underneath, a cancer grows. This foundation for economic stability—insurance—is collapsing. Our Molecular Future reveals the depth of the situation.

To inoculate ourselves against nature’s occasional tantrums, and avoid collapse of the insurance industry, we may have to construct powerful molecular defenses. Yet, these defenses themselves may threaten our existence, due to their potential for abuse. Some say that the risks outweigh the potential gains.

So, if it’s such a risk, why go there?

Evidence suggests there may be no alternative. Our Molecular Future explains why.

By tracing disruptions of the past and advances of the present through to technologies of the future, it becomes more than a book: it's a whole new field of study; a multifaceted approach to our past, our present, and our potential futures.

Because of this, the book appeals to a wide range of readers.

Read it if you are...

...striving to understand the molecular world that we may soon live in

...wondering about your job prospects or health care in an age of disruptive technologies

...looking for ways to cope with climate extremes or natural disasters

The book also has special relevance if you’re one of these individuals:

A business or economics student: Here are ideas about what startups might flourish in a molecular economy. "Genetic computing" may make most manufacturing processes and patents obsolete.Moreover, new industries might emerge from our capacities to cope with natural hazards.

A lecturer or student in environment, natural science, and ethics. The book is a valuable supplement to course materials:

--For environment, it identifies challenges to the Precautionary Principle and the doctrine of sustainable development.

--For natural science, it summarizes new discoveries about naturally occurring climate changes and ecological disruptions that are changing our views about the stability of the natural world. --For scientific ethics, it gives an overview of the ethical questions associated with development of powerful new tools.

An executive positioning your company for the approaching molecular era. Here is information about startups that might flourish in a molecular economy.

An insurer or corporate manager who plans disaster recovery strategies. This summarizes natural risks and technologies that may alter the way that businesses prepare for them. A health care provider. Research into nanobacteria and robotic surgery may alter the way we treat disease. A scientist confronted by environmental opposition to your technologies: Here's one way out of the impasse between the life sciences and environmentalists. An environmentalist who forecasts how technology might alter the ecology: Molecular technologies and natural changes may upend the Precautionary Principle and the doctrine of sustainable development.

The book also has an extensive index and endnotes, with links to authoritative Web sites. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Lets use these technologies to save our future
If I had to sum up the main theme of this work, I would say it's about preservation of the human species. A large portion of this work is devoted to how humans (or our progeny) can avoid extinction by natural and man-made disaster. All other discussions seem to lead to this point in one form or another. The author believes that the underlying technologies in the title can and perhaps will provide for our salvation if we play our cards right.

The author has done his research and has a large source of information to draw from. This book gives the reader a good overview of real scientific advancements as well as other insights from prominent leaders and theorists in these fields. There are ample notes and anecdotes to give the reader the option to pursue more detailed information on the topics.

A few parts of the book drag due to some repetitiveness and some of the discussions don't appear to have a firm scientific base and don't seem too plausible, especially if you have decent scientific knowledge in the particular subject. If you are a scientist or engineer with some expertise in the fields you may find that some theories lack a firm foundation. However one theme that comes with the author's optimism is that throughout history, even the most prominent experts have been proven wrong through natural progressions and even breakthroughs!

This work is not incredibly deep or profound though quite entertaining and at times it appears to feel more like a novel than a documentary of the future. It is suitable for readers of all walks of life.

The 21st century will not frighten the horses.
For optimists and those who find life in the 21st century a complete source of exhiliration, and for those who are indulging themselves in the dizzying pace of technological advancement, this book is sheer delight. Speculative in some points, and gaurded in others, the author has written a book that takes the reader through a future that is not far distant, and a future that is now. Genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, nanoscale computing, and robotics are here, right now, and advances in these areas show every sign of being explosive.

The author asks us to imagine a conversation between a farmer in the year 1899 and a person who rolls up in an early automobile. The driver tells the farmer what is ahead in the next decades, such as playing golf on the moon, his children being able to drive themselves faster than a locomotive, his cows milked using machines, etc. The author then replays the same conversation but with a farmer of the year 2001, he automobile is replaced by a flying car: golf will be played on Mars, and egg hatcheries will be designed by computers that do a better job then humans, agriculture will be replaced by food synthesizers, etc. With these hypothetical conversations, the author asks us to take stock in our skepticism that the future he outlines in the book it too far-fetched.

He is certainly correct in his reasoning. There are too many instances of "famous last words" when it comes to the future of a particular technological development. If one takes cognizance of the many developments that are now occuring simultaneously, it would be hard to tell exactly which ones are going to prevail. For example, when it comes to the enhancement of human capabilities, I see a competition between genetic engineering and artificial intelligence arising in the future. Both are strategies to improve human mental and physical capabilities, but are essentially different ways of course to meet these ends. The marketplace, and not government, will hopefully determine the outcome of this competition, but it, may disappear entirely if new methodologies, up to this time unknown, dilute the efficacy of these approaches.

In addition, human factors engineering, which is not really emphasized in the book, may determine the outcome of particular technologies. Voice recognition and command in computers for example, may be too annoying to actually employ in the workplace, if open cubicle environments are still in place. The resulting noise level of everyone talking to their computers might be too irritating. Federal and state health requirements also have a repressive influence on the employing of new technology. With the growing hostility towards genetic engineering, governments will be stepping up their regulations and this might dampen the ever-growing amplitude of 21st century development.

The author is aware of these attitudes towards technology, and so he attempts to offer a different sort of justification for employing them, particularly nanotechnology. Much space in the book is devoted to the use of this to combat natural disasters, such as asteroids, earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamies, and radical climate changes. Many of his proposals for using nanotechnology to do this are interesting, such as "utility fog", which allows material objects to change shape at arbitrary time scales, food fabrication using molecular biosynthesis and robotic replenishment, and the intelligent product system (IPS), which allows maximal compatibility with the environment. In addition, the author envisions the deployment of millions of nanosatellites that will probe the solar system in order to find rogue asteroids that threaten our planet. Once found, the asteroid will be dissassembled layer by layer to a size that nullifies its threat. The residue will then be used as raw materials for space-based colonies.

The author is also realistic in his appraisal of just what it is going to take from a financial perspective to develop the technology which he envisions. Such developments can be accomplished, and the financial and time scales involved, coupled with the physical dimensions of the technology, are the justification for his optimism. He does not use "inevitability" arguments to justify future technology developments, but instead realizes, correctly, that such developments are subject to human volition. We can halt or move forward, the choice being completely our own.

Robo sapiens, Robo servers, and Homo provectus, may be on the way the author states. He asks us if we are ready, and he asks us to consider the answers to the employment of new technologies ourselves, and not leave it up to our government or religious leaders, who themselves are explaining it to us inadequately, he argues. Religious institutions are centuries behind, companies are selling products and services but are not structured to serve our interests, and scientists are too involved in their projects to consider how their discoveries will impact human life on Earth.

The author encourages the reader to get involved, or invent, institutions or strategies that will mesh with the technological advances that are confronting each one of us. I cannot speak for the author here, but he seems to be incredibly optimisitic. This is refreshing, for this indeed is the most exciting time to be alive. We should all constantly attempt to improve ourselves and others with the knowledge we have available. With genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, highly sophisticated mathematics, robotics, and nanotechnology, we have precisely the right instruments, at precisely the right time, to participate in and build the greatest century yet for the human species...

Nanobacteria, NanoMedicine, Nanotechnology, Oh My!
Doug Mulhall is a bold, fluent & brillant writer that is able to communicate with both lay persons and scientists alike....a must read! His description of nanotechnological developments lead us by the hand into the future gently, then exposes the potential harsh realities and wonders that will be available to us. With his command of writing, he explains difficult concepts by making them real. I particularly appreciated him writing about an exciting startup, NanobacLabs Pharmaceuticals that has developed nanobiotics to fight nanobacterial infections. The read led me to a physician that wrote a prescription for NanobacTX that appears to be eradicating my heart disease! I not only enjoyed the book, but he may have ultimately saved my life.....sign me, GRATEFUL.

An Amazing view of the future. Great Book!
Fascinating glimpse into the future.
Rarely does one find a book with as many insights into the future as Our Molecular Future. Page after page there are concepts which are entirely foreign to you before reading them, and then seem so self-evident after you have understood them. Clearly, not everything that is depicted in the book is going to come to pass in our lifetimes. However, this was the best book I have read for years. Not since Godel, Escher, Bach have I thought so much while reading! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Useful addition to your reference library...
I am surprised at some of the negative reviews of this book. This book contains some very useful material especially the TCP/IP and Parser Class topics. The only reason that I didn't give it five stars is because of the space wasted on a review of the Visual Basic Language. I used some of the ideas in this book in a VB Human Machine Interface (HMI) application that I developed. The source code is available at ....

Nice book on Automation with Visual Basic
If you want to study Visual Basic with this book, it may not be a right choice. However, if you want to do automation with VB, this is a right book. Several topics in this book are very useful to me. 1)Communication methods with VB. One of the foundamental thing in automatic control of devices/instrument is to establish the communication between computer and devices/instrument. Several useful methods are covered. They are Dynamic Data Exchange(DDE), RS232(computer serial communication), and TCP/IP. This book will not enable you to understand in deep details what's really going on in RS232 or TCP/IP communications, but this book will definitely enable you to implement these methods. Actually, in most cases if not all, we do not need to know what's really going on in RS232 or TCP/IP communications at all. 2)Device control and data handling. This part covers how to handle the data transferred in communication--parsing, and control multiple devices/instrument. 3)Graphic interfaces, which will enable developers to build a friendly interface between the control system and end users. Please do not overlook this, it is most probably that the users' commends on your system depend a lot on this interface, because this is what they can see and handle with.

This book is one of the valuable books on my shelf, and I would like to recomment to other people. Anyway, all depends on what you need and what you expect. This is just my 2 cents.

Good luck in finding a book valuable for your use.

Waste of Time and Money
Based on the earlier reviews, I though this is a good book to read. But I was wrong. I think all earlier reviewers (other than one review that rated it one star) probably do not know how to use help in Visual Basic. If you want to use PCs for monitoring project, just read VB help for comm port control. This book is full of examples and not much explaination about understanding of serial communication. I totally agree with review of December 9, 1999 that any one who has any knowledge of VB should not buy this. Reading this book was a total waste of time and money.

A timely addition to any scientist¿s library
A paradigm shift in today's pharmaceutical industry is forcing many traditionally trained scientists to embrace an automated environment. As a result, software for controlling instrumentation is more important than ever and many companies have turned their efforts toward in-house development to answer this need. In their book, Mark Russo and Martin Echols show how today's most popular Windows development language can be used to create robust and reliable software for instrument control. The authors also include a terrific section on graphical displays, which will help you provide the user friendliness and visual representation of data that your users will expect. This book was a lifesaver for me. I recommend that anyone looking at integrating automation into his or her company's workflow buy this book and read it before doing anything else!

What a waste!
For any programmer with more than a day programming experience in VB SHOULD NOT buy this book. Within its 350 pages, about one third of them are coming from Microsoft VB's user manual. There are many chapters have only few pages. And there are not may sample codes. ... Read more

Book Description

Updates the original, comprehensive introduction to the areas of mathematical physics encountered in advanced courses in the physical sciences. Intuition and computational abilities are stressed. Original material on DE and multiple integrals has been expanded. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

indispensable Mathematical hanbook for physics students
To put it quite simply, if you are a physics student, you must own this book. What does this book do for you? Consider this...

In my school, we do not have a mathematical methods course for science, so I decided to take on a math minor to take all the classes neccesary to do physics "right." This included a class on ODEs, Fourier Series & PDEs, Linear Algebra, and Complex Variables. These classes, although helpful, cover a lot of stuff that is not quite useful for understanding physics concepts, often undermining or dampening the stuff that is actually applicable.

What makes this book so great is that it combines all the essential math concepts into one compact, clearly written reference. If I could do it all over again, I would easily rather take a two semester Math Methods course (like they do in many schools) using a book like Boas than take all these obtuse math courses. With this book, it makes it so handy to review previously learned concepts or actually learn poorly presented topics ( for a physicist anyway) in mathematics classes... (Things like Coordinate Transformations, Tensors, Special Functions & PDEs in spherical & cylindrical coordinates, Diagonilzation, the list goes on.....)

Keep this gem handy when doing homework and studying for exams, learning the math tools from this book enables you to concentrate squarely on the physics in your other textbooks... (since mathematical background information, understandably, is often cut short...)

Boas is the best math methods book
It is not only well written, it has lots of worked examples! It is not as comprehensive as some "standards" such as Arfkin or Butkov, but it is much more useful for mastering the basics. No physics student should be without this book.

Clearest and most comprehensive book on Math for Physics
I'm a physics undergraduate. Out of all my books on math, this is far and away the most comprehensive and useful book! It has supplanted my other, thicker books and is the one thing I turn to whenever I need to refresh myself on a math method.

It covers practically every useful math technique for physics, and never assumes that you're a genius (unlike other books). Each step is explained in clear, refreshing language and in a very logical order. From Laplacian transforms to Fourier series to ODEs, each subject is introduced so well that, even when I've missed a lecture, I can understand the topic just from reading it.

Highly recommended and worth the price, this is one book physics undergraduates should have. The only thing else needed with it is the solutions manual.

A book that has everything.
This book has a bit of everything from Linear Algebra, Calculus, Analysis, Probability and Statistics, ODE, PDE, Transforms just to name a few. If you get a chance to study everything from this book, you will probably learn more from this book than all your undergraduate math courses combined. Some concepts on this book may be difficult to understand due to the lack of in depth coverage. But I guess the main intention of this book is to focus on the applied side and cover as much material that is relevant to physics and engineering as possible and not go into much detail on the theory side.
If you are a graduate student in physics or engineering and want to buy this book for reference, it will be a good start for the first year courses but won't help you much after that.
Readibility of this book is excellent. You will understand most of the concepts and examples presented.
Bottomline: This is a must have book for engineers and physicists.

This is not the best math methods book
Boas is overrated. The book "Mathematical methods for Physics and engineering" by Riley, Hobson, and Bence is much better. ... Read more

Book Description

Data analysis is of central importance in the education of scientists. This book offers a compact and readable introduction to techniques relevant to physical science students. The material is thoroughly integrated with the popular and powerful spreadsheet package Excel by Microsoft. Excel features of most relevance to the analysis of experimental data in the physical sciences are dealt with in some detail. Fully worked problems reinforce basic principles. Underlying assumptions and range of applicability of techniques are discussed, though detailed derivations of basic equations are mostly avoided or confined to the appendices. ... Read more

Book Description

"Chemists familiar with conventional quantum mechanics will applaud and benefit greatly from this particularly instructive, thorough and clearly written exposition of density functional theory: its basis, concepts, terms, implementation, and performance in diverse applications. Users of DFT for structure, energy, and molecular property computations, as well as reaction mechanism studies, are guided to the optimum choices of the most effective methods. Well done!"
Paul von Ragué Schleyer

"A conspicuous hole in the computational chemist's library is nicely filled by this book, which provides a wide-ranging and pragmatic view of the subject.[...It] should justifiably become the favorite text on the subject for practitioners who aim to use DFT to solve chemical problems."
J. F. Stanton, J. Am. Chem. Soc.

"The authors' aim is to guide the chemist through basic theoretical and related technical aspects of DFT at an easy-to-understand theoretical level. They succeed admirably."
P. C. H. Mitchell, Appl. Organomet. Chem.

"The authors have done an excellent service to the chemical community. [...] A Chemist's Guide to Density Functional Theory is exactly what the title suggests. It should be an invaluable source of insight and knowledge for many chemists using DFT approaches to solve chemical problems."
M. Kaupp, Angew. Chem.


... Read more

Reviews (1)

DFT for chemists!
Computational and Theoretical chemists concerned with the applications of canonical quantum chemistry (molecular orbital) methods to chemically interesting problems know too well how (computationally) demanding is going beyond the Hartree-Fock (HF) approximation by employing the so called post-HF methods. Hence, very often they must resort on using Density Functional Theory (DFT). Here, however, they need to confront themselves with the terminology invented by their physics collegues: Kohn-Sham orbitals, Fermi hole, local and non-local spin-density functionals, generalized gradient approximation, pseudopotentials, and so forth. Any terminology is associated to a certain model of thought, which requires lot of efforts to be fully comprehended.
The book of Koch and Holthausen represents a praiseworthy attempt of presenting the basic concepts of DFT to research chemists. This 300-pages book is organized in two parts and it contains 13 chapters. Part A is concerned with the definition of the (DFT) model, while Part B discusses the performance of the model in dealing with molecular structures, vibrational frequencies, thermochemical, electrical and magnetic properties, H-bonds, and chemical reactivity. A rich bibliography is appended at the end of the book. Clearly written and logically organized, this book can be considered "THE Chemists's Guide to DFT" and it deserves five stars. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Coming from somewhere small and become one of the greatest
If you like reading biographies and you happen to like the history of natural sciences as well, it is a must.

I found it very sad that most of these scientist could not make it in Hungary, but it is not hard to see why. Hungary was/is a very small country and these people were just too clever to stay within the borders. They fled where their mind find the nurturing soil for the seeds of their ideas.

Not a lot of people know that these people were actually Hungarians, because they became known under different names of their originals.
However, they did their very best to move science forward as the origins were less important than their lifetime achievements....

Also their lifes can be taken as examples for the young minds that you just have to go further if you do not succeed at the first place to pursue your ideas and you can become one of the greatest too..... ... Read more

Book Description

Doing Science offers a rare compendium of practical advice based on how working scientists pursue their craft. It covers each stage of research, from formulating questions and gathering data to developing experiments and analyzing results and finally to the many ways for presenting results. Drawing on his extensive experience both as a researcher and a research mentor, Ivan Valiela has written a lively and concise survey of everything a beginning scientist needs to know to succeed in the field. He includes chapters on scientific data, statistical methods, and experimental designs, and much of the book is devoted to presenting final results. He gives valuable suggestions for improving scientific writing, for preparing scientific talks, and devotes three chapters to hands-on advice for presenting data in charts, tables, and graphs. Anyone beginning a scientific career, or anyone who advises students in research, will find Doing Science an invaluable source of advice. ... Read more

Book Description

Methods in Cell-Matrix Adhesion contains integrated coverage on cell-matrix adhesion methods. It brings the classical methodologies and the latest techniques together in one concise volume.This coverage includes experimental protocols and their conceptual background for all aspects of cell-matrix adhesion research: the extracellular matrix, adhesion receptors, and the growing number of functional applications of matrix-adhesion in molecular cell biology. Also covered is the purification of the extracellular matrix to functional analyses of cellular responses. ... Read more

Book Description

There is intense public interest in the role of universities as a source of science-based innovations. To increase our understanding of this role, this book compares the economic effects of university research in the United States and Japan--countries similar in economic and technological capabilities but different in culture, tradition, and institutional structure. Incorporating historical, sociological, and industrial perspectives, the book discusses both the mechanics of university-industry interactions and how policies encouraging such interactions can address regional and national needs.

Some of the results of this comparative study are surprising. For example, contrary to common assumptions, collaboration between individual faculty members and colleagues in industry appears to be as high in Japan as it is in the United States. It also becomes clear that it is the pace of technological change, more than government incentives, that puts universities in the position of driving the most exciting areas of business growth. Finally, although universities are vital to the networks that lead to innovation-based growth, experience in both Japan and the United States suggests that policies aimed at transforming economically depressed areas through the promotion of university-based ventures are difficult to implement when the environment for economic transformation is weak.

Contributors: Lewis M. Branscomb, Amy B. Candell, Y. T. Chien, Henry Etzkowitz, Irwin Feller, Richard Florida, Michael S. Fogarty, Gerald Hane, Takehiko Hashimoto, Adam B. Jaffe, Sumio Kakinuma, Shingo Kano, Robert Kneller, Fumio Kodama, Hiroto Kotake, Josh Lerner, David C. Mowery, Masamitsu Negishi, Richard R. Nelson, Fujio Niwa, Hiroyuki Odagiri, Seiritsu Ogura, Yoshiyuki Ohtawa, Kenneth Pechter, Bhaven N. Sampat, Amit Sinha, Sheryl Winston Smith, Yuan Sun, Katsuya Tamai, Shinichi Yamamoto, Mariko Yoshihara, Arvids Ziedonis. ... Read more

Book Description

This broad collection of accessible essays helps readers develop a fuller appreciation of the nature of science and scientific knowledge in general.The focus throughout is on the relationships in science between fact and theory, about the nature of scientific theory, and about the kinds of claims on truth that science makes. Arranges essays according to three essential aspects of scientific practice: Method, theory, and discovery.For scientists looking to broaden their general knowledge of basic scientific theory. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Don't read this book
this is an awful book, boring, it will out you to sleep ... Read more

Book Description

Although less than a decade old, the field of microarray data analysisisnow thrivingand growing at a remarkable pace. Biologists, geneticists, and computer scientists as well as statisticians all need an accessible, systematic treatment of the techniques used for analyzing the vast amounts of data generated by large-scale gene expression studies. And there is arguably no group better qualified to do so than the authors of this book.Statistical Analysis of Gene Expression Microarray Data promises to become the definitive basic reference in the field. Under the editorship of Terry Speed, some of the world's most pre-eminent authorities have joined forces to present the tools, features, and problems associated with the analysis of genetic microarray data. These include::"Model-based analysis of oligonucleotide arrays, including expression index computation, outlier detection, and standard error applications"Design and analysis of comparative experiments involving microarrays, with focus on \ two-color cDNA or long oligonucleotide arrays on glass slides "Classification issues, including the statistical foundations of classification and an overview of different classifiers"Clustering, partitioning, and hierarchical methods of analysis, including techniques related to principal components and singular value decompositionAlthough the technologies used in large-scale, high throughput assays will continue to evolve, statistical analysis will remain a cornerstone of their success and future development. Statistical Analysis of Gene Expression Microarray Data will help you meet the challenges of large, complex datasets and contribute to new methodological and computational advances. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent book for data analyst
Thorough converage of statistics involved in microarray data analysis. It presents important knowledge for biologists who use data analysis tools but would like to know what is behind the scene. Understanding the book needs some statistical background and hence not a easy book for biologists and genetists who do not have that knowledge.
I would like to emphasize that experiment design issue is presented in a very clear way and should be read by all who plan to start project related to gene expression. Clustering and classification are two major analysis methods for microarray data, and the comprehensive discussion of the statistical mechanisms for each method in the last two chapters will help analysts to choose the right methods when mining the data. The first chapter seems to be a little out of the place, because it mainly discusses model-based genechip data analysis. This chapter touches a little about preprocessing and gene selection but far from complete.
A chapter with thorough discussion of pre-processing techniques and gene selection techniques would make this a prefect book. Overall it is a great reference for anyone who is interested in microarray data analysis! ... Read more

Book Description

How do you crack nuts with a piece of string? Reverse gravity? Cobble together a clock out of a coffee cup, a soda bottle, and some water? Use a vacuum cleaner and nineteenth-century railroad technology to fashion a makeshift bazooka that can launch paper projectiles? Create a rainbow in a block of Jello? This is a one-volume romp through a whole array of counterintuitive science experiments that require little more than common household items and a sense of curiosity. Prepare to have your surprise sensors on overload as Neil Downie stretches math, physics, and chemistry to do what they have never done before.

This book describes twenty-nine unusual but practical experiments, detailing how they are done and the math and physics behind them. It will delight both casual and inveterate tinkerers. Of varying levels of complexity, the experiments are grouped in sections covering a wide field of physics and the borders of chemistry, ranging from dynamic mechanics (''Kinetic Curiosities'') to electricity (''Antediluvian Electronics'') and combustion (''Infernal Inventions''). The chapters are titillatingly titled, from ''Twisted Sinews'' and ''Mole Radio'' to ''A Symphony of Siphons'' and ''Tornado Transistor.'' More-detailed explanations, along with simple mathematical models using high-school level math, are given in boxes accompanying each experiment.

Armchair scientists will welcome this edifying and entertaining alternative to idleness, not least for the buoyant prose, enriched by historical and literary anecdotes introducing each topic. With this book in hand, tinkerers, whether dabblers in science or devotees, students or teachers, need never again wonder how to impress friends, the judges at the science fair, and, not least, themselves.

... Read more

Reviews (2)

The bazooka is a good experiment
I enjoyed the book, but so far the only experiment we've done is the vacuum bazooka, for which I recommend using a wet vac and small water balloons as ammo.

Interesting Book
I've only had this book for a few days, but have found the projects unusual and offbeat. For the most part, they are not a rehash of old science projects. They are well described and each one has a good description of the science and math behind them. The illustrations are not overly detailed, but they do the job quite well. I found it a little odd that the description of what the project is about is separated from the chapter on the project. The summaries of what is interesting about the projects and simply what they do is in the front of the book. If you open to a project within the book, you'll wonder what the real appeal of the project is until you go to the front of the book.

The author is quite a tinkerer and at least one of the project toys is patented. I believe a few others are heading toward patents.

Several projects require access to a small amount of Mecanno (or Erector) set parts. These companies almost do not exist it the U.S. any longer. However, Brio recently started distributing Erector sets again. I'm sure one could find substitutes for the Mecanno parts at a local hardware store or maybe even make them. ... Read more