Book Description

In the 1980s, capillary electrophoresis (CE) joined high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as the most powerful separation technique available to analytical chemists and biochemists. Published research using CE grew from 48 papers in the year of commercial introduction (1988) to 1200 in 1997. While only a dozen major pharmaceutical and biotech companies have reduced CE to routine practice, the applications market is showing real or potential growth in key areas, particularly in the DNA marketplace for genomic mapping and forensic identification. For drug development involving small molecules (including chiral separations), one CE instrument can replace 10 liquid chromatographs in terms of speed of analysis. CE also uses aqueous rather than organic solvents and is thus environmentally friendlier than HPLC. The second edition of Practical Capillary Electrophoresis has been extensively reorganized and rewritten to reflect modern usage in the field, with an emphasis on commercially available apparatus and reagents. This authoritative and very comprehensible treatment builds on the author's extensive experience as an instructor of short courses for the American Chemical Society and for industry.

Key Features
* Illustrated with detailed diagrams of electrophoretic phenomena
* Offers step-by-step methods development schemes
* Presents techniques for developing quantitative, robust, and precise methods
* Includes an extensive troubleshooting guide
* Updates and greatly expands on the first edition-more than 50% of the text is new
* Written by an internationally recognized scientist who is an instructor for American Chemical Society short courses on HPCE ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Finding the Middle Ground
This text finds the middle ground between the theory and practice of capillary electrophoresis. The text is ideal for students as well as industrial practitioners in the field

Useful text
This a very useful text for students and experienced users alike. The book is the right level of information regarding instrumentation, basic concepts and provides useful information on various applications of the technology. Definitely a must buy for the novice and student -- likely a useful reference text for the experienced user.

Waste of money
There are half a dozen better books on the subject.

Badly written
The confusing presentation, clumsy writing, and numerous factual errors make this book almost unreadable. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Among physicists, it is widely assumed that one's greatest chance for abreakthrough discovery will come before one reaches the age of 30. Trueor not, this idea leads young physicists such as João Magueijo topull out all the intellectual stops in the search for glory andimmortality. In Faster Than the Speed of Light, Magueijo revealsthe short, brilliant history of his possibly groundbreakingspeculation--VSL, or Variable Light Speed. This notion--that the speedof light changed as the universe expanded after the BigBang--contradicts no less prominent a figure than Albert Einstein.Because of this, Magueijo has suffered more than a few slings and arrowsfrom hidebound, jealous, or perplexed colleagues. But the youngscientist persisted, found a few important allies, and finally managedto shake up the establishment enough to get the attention he merited andcraved. Magueijo begins the book with a suitably accessible explanationof special and general relativity, then moves on to the ideas that laidthe groundwork for VSL. In the process, he rips the doors off ofscientific academia and airs quite a bit of dirty laundry. Comparinghimself to Einstein throughout the book, Magueijo approaches his topicand its dissemination with cocksure genius, expecting readers tosympathize with him as he battles to win favor. And we do. Thescientific process is "rigorous, competitive, emotional, andargumentative," writes Magueijo. His theory could knock down two solidpillars of cosmology--inflation and relativity. Not only does hisradical notion deserve a trial by fire, it also deserves a champion likeMagueijo, who isn't afraid of the flames. --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Reviews (56)

This is not just another popular physics book
This is a very interesting book for several reasons. Einstein's ideas, just like the man himself, have become mythic in their influence and popularity. This book puts forward an important post-Einsteinian theory of the nature of the universe and so challenges one of the most significant and well-known ideas of the 20th century. As if that wasn't courageous enough, Magueijo writes the book about his unconventional idea in an unconventional way - he also critiques the organisations and processes of science itself which produce new ideas, from the structure of present day universities to the process of scientific publication and peer-review. While some readers may see his critique of the institutions of science as irrelevant to his new ideas in physics, this ignores the real influence that the institutional status quo have on the development and acceptance of scientific innovation. The promotion of a revolutionary idea not only requires the challenging of existing theory, it also requires the challenging of the scientific institutions which currently hold that idea. This second battle is usually done silently behind the scenes, but Magueijo drops the pretence and writes about both in his book - and its about time science got this particular skeleton out of the closet! Magueijo is no crank - the Royal Society have given him a 10 year Fellowship - very very few get one of those. I for one, commend his gutsy swipe at both established theory and the establishments of theory. This book is a breath of fresh air and just what universities and research institutes need more of to keep them useful.

Reads like two separate books
I genuinely appreciate Joao Magueijo's attitude that its ok to challenge fixtures of conventional scientific wisdom. History shows that we stagnate scientifically when we get too comfortable with a sure thing. So although the fixed speed of light is thoroughly entrenched, its still fair game in my view, and I bought this book to hear about his theory.

The first half of this book describes some basics of conventional cosmological thinking, including the special and general theories of relativity. This is appropriate and necessary for what is to come, and the examples presented are unique and interesting.

But just when Mr. Magueijo seems prepared to delve into his own theories, he changes focus. Sure he pauses now and again to describe his work, but not with the same clarity and depth as before. Because what he really wants to convey in the second half of the book is how frustrating it is to deal with magazine editors and the bureaucracy of research institutions. And as much as we can all sympathize with these frustrations, he comes off at times as a young man simply railing against perceived injustices. It's a better book when he sticks to his enthusiasm for science. Yet I can still recommend it for open minded individuals with an interest in cosmology.

A horrible book written by an obvious novice.
As a former professor of physics, I am greatly concerned that this book will be viewed by non-physicists as being on par with some of the excellent "pedestrian" books on advanced physics, such as "A Brief History of Time" or "The Elegant Universe".

Mr. Magueijo's attempts to explain elementary electrodynamics and mechanics show that his mastery of physics would not even earn him a passing grade in one of my freshman-level courses. I would not be at all surprised if Cambridge contacted Mr. Magueijo and demanded that he return his diploma.

As a trained and working mathematician and physicist, I would consider this book good to have around...for when I was in need of a laugh. The hardcover version, I am sure, is well suited for use as a paperweight. And most certainly, a person freezing to death would find warmth and light by setting the book afire. Beyond those uses, this book cannot be considered anything other than a waste of paper and ink.

the link is broken
I only wish to let you know that in the Customer Reviews the link must be broken somewhere, since I cannot get all 54 reviews that are claim to exist. I can get only to about no.30

The Genius That Is Joao Magueijo
I have just finished reading "Faster That The Speed Of Light" by João Magueijo. Anybody interested in the universe we live in or relativity must read this book. I have read many books on this subject including Stephen Hawking excellent books "A Brief History Of Time" & "The Universe In A Nutshell".

This book manages to describe relatively (no pun indented) complex theories in a way even I can understand. He manages to break it down to grass roots level with his "cows in a field" analogy of Special Relativity. Not only does he achieve this, but also it introduces us to a concept that rocks the very foundations of physics, that the speed of light is not constant (or is it?).

João manages to deliver all that while explaining the personal struggle he and his collaborators suffered within the scientific community while working on these theories, the highs and the lows and just how close they came to throwing it all in the trashcan.

In summary this is the most interesting book I have had the pleasure of reading. The only drawback I can find, to the book, is that it's not finished yet, João were waiting for the sequel. ... Read more

Book Description

There are numerous professionals who are interested in doingresearch but who may not have had much statistical training as part of theirformal education.This book addresses the needs of the "mathematicallychallenged" in ways no other statistics book does. Most statistics books arewritten for people who teach statistics, not those who want to learn to usestatistics in order to read, understand, and conduct research. KEYTOPICS: Written for those with little mathematical background, this bookfocuses on teaching students how to select and conduct appropriate statisticaltests to answer research questions. This book does not assume a lot of priorknowledge, nor does it assume readers will know what kind of tests to perform.Written in with an engaging tone, this book is for anyone - fromteachers to nurses, from social workers to managers - who needs to know thebasics of researching and analyzing data. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent textbook for behavioral science statistics.
This book presents statistics in a very non-threatening manner. It clearly provides both the how and the why of statistics for the behavioral sciences. The author has included "tips" throughout each unit that highlight important concepts that help focus the student's understanding of the topic. Each new procedure is followed by a well conceived example. ... Read more

Book Description

This essential textbook is designed for anyone new to research and planning to undertake a research project. The book is organized around eight operational steps that constitute the research process: formulating a research problem; conceptualizing a research design; constructing an instrument for data collection; selecting a sample; writing a research proposal; collecting data; processing data; and writing a research report.

Research Methodology:

- is highly practical, with material organized in a logical progression directly related to the practicalities of research;

- is easy to understand, with difficult procedures explained in a step-by-step manner;

- contains sets of exercises to accompany each operational step to reinforce concepts and to help develop a research proposal.

Ranjit Kumar has drawn on 20 years of teaching experience to demystify the research process and give students a helpful and informative guide.

Reviews (1)

had to have it
Am in the middle of a research project and am still trying to sort out all the how-to's of organizing the information. Got this out of my school library and know I will use it again and again as I continue through the process. So I just had to have it, even on a students spare budget. Definitely a keeper. The format of the book is approachable and the information is immediately useful. ... Read more

Book Description

Introduction to Bioinformatics by Arthur Lesk is a timely and much-needed textbook which provides an accessible and thorough introduction to a subject which is becoming a fundamental part of biological science today. As a pioneer of the use of bioinformatics techniques in research, Dr Lesk brings unrivalled experience and expertise to the study of this field. The aim of the book is to generate an understanding of the biological background of bioinformatics, and to integrate this with an introduction to the use of computational skills. Without describing computer science or sophisticated programming skills in detail, the book supports and encourages the application of the many powerful computational tools of bioinformatics in a way that is both relevant to and stimulating for the reader. The book contains numerous problems and innovative Weblems (for Web-based Problems) to encourage students to engage with the subject and with the accompanying web site and to develop a working understanding and appreciation of the power of bioinformatics as a research tool. ... Read more

Book Description

Where do major scientific breakthroughs come from? Do they arise from the logic of the scientific method, or do they result from flashes of genius? Are they the products of some mysterious zeitgeist, or spirit of the times, or do they emerge from chance or serendipity? Dean Simonton provides an answer, not by choosing one explanation and ignoring the others, but rather by unifying all four perspectives into a single theory in which chance plays the primary role, but with the significant involvement of logic, genius and zeitgeist. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Excellent Science Class
I enjoyed reading this book very much. The first two chapters are out of this world. They provide a factual, easy-to-read account of the development of physics, and cosmology in particular. Although history of scientific ideas in the political context is one of my specialties, I found these chapters educational. Everything is laid out in such a way that it is easy to understand which scientist made which contribution to the development of our understanding of the universe.

The only reservation I had about this book is that it has its dogmatic moments, for example when the authors claim that the theory of evolution is not a "theory," but something above it, because it has been "proved." One of the authors is a practicing attorney, which may be the reason for this approach. Scientific theories are not "proved" the way mathematical theorems are, or the way one proves things in a court of law. Scientific theories are always tentative, provisional, hypothetical. Science includes facts. For example that a coin can land in three ways: hads, tails, or (incredibly) on its side. This is not a theory, but a fact, and it can certainly not be "disproved." If the authors want to call evolution a fact, they are free to do so. But science is not a court of law--it does not prove things.

Science for drama majors
Really boring and some of the author's words were more confusing than any mathematical equation. I was very disappointed with this one.

Very cool.
This book is excellent for anyone who is curious about science but had teachers and professors who made science as boring as possible. It includes one of the best explanations of Relativity I have found.

An excellent historical perspective of key discoveries.
The Brody brothers provide a thorough, but not overly complex, review of seven scientific discoveries that altered human self-awareness and understanding. The book is well written, informative (even for a professional scientist!), and quite enjoyable. Especially interesting is the overall perspective of the book, which emphasizes how historical and social influences affected the pathways to discoveries and which stresses the important interrelationships between and among the seven discovies discussed. I recommend this book not only to scientists and students, but also to anyone with an interest in technologically and advances in human thought - which should be everyone.

Interesting book on the greatest hits of science
Although this book can get a bit dense at times, it really is a great overview of the greatest scientific achievements of our time. It amazed me how up to date it was, as well as how clearly it explained some of the complex relationships of the people who discovered some of the findings that today we take for granted. (As well as talking about some of the people who took some wrong turns along the way.)

Overall it's a great read, even as a brush-up and update for scienes classes you may have already had. ... Read more

Book Description

In Volume 2 of Essential Molecular Biology, procedures for preparing gene libraries and identifying genes are described, together with methods for studying the structure of a cloned gene and the way it is expressed in the cell. ... Read more

Book Description

The book demonstrates the importance of history and philosophyof science for science education. It provides a case study of thependulum, showing the pivotal role played by the pendulum in theScientific Revolution. It describes how the pendulum enabled thecreation of accurate clocks that, among other things, enabled thelong-standing problem of longitude to be solved. The book charts howthe solution of the longitude problem was of enormous social, economicand cultural significance for European and consequently world history.Further, the book shows how the discovery of the laws of pendulummotion by Galileo, Huygens and Newton hinged on the acceptance of anew methodology for science. The pendulum laws are a window throughwhich to view the fascinating mixture of experiment, mathematics andphilosophy that characterized the foundations of modern science- the Galilean-Newtonian paradigm - anddistinguished it from Aristotelian, medieval and commonsense science.The book covers: learning about the nature of science; navigation andthe longitude problem; ancient and medieval timekeeping; Galileo'sanalysis of pendulum motion; Huygens, Hooke, Newton and the pendulum;clocks and culture; science and philosophy; the mechanical world view;teaching about time and pendulum motion; and teacher education andculture. The book defends a liberal, or contextual, approach to the teaching ofscience. It shows how understanding the scientific, philosophical andcultural contexts and ramifications of the pendulum laws can allowteachers to plan more engaging lessons, and conduct informativehistorical- investigative experiments. Students can re-live history.Contextual understanding of the pendulum allows connections to be madewith other parts of the science curriculum, and with other subjectareas such as geography, literature, religion, music and mathematics.Readers will come away with a deeper understanding of the nature ofscience and its role in history. ... Read more

Book Description

Qualitative Data Analysis shows that learning how to analyse qualitative data by computer can be fun. Written in a stimulating style, with examples drawn mainly from every day life and contemporary humour, it should appeal to a wide audience. ... Read more

Book Description

This investigation of the overwhelming appeal of quantification in the modern world discusses the development of cultural meanings of objectivity over two centuries. How are we to account for the current prestige and power of quantitative methods? The usual answer is that quantification is seen as desirable in social and economic investigation as a result of its successes in the study of nature. Theodore Porter is not content with this. Why should the kind of success achieved in the study of stars, molecules, or cells be an attractive model for research on human societies? he asks. And, indeed, how should we understand the pervasiveness of quantification in the sciences of nature? In his view, we should look in the reverse direction: comprehending the attractions of quantification in business, government, and social research will teach us something new about its role in psychology, physics, and medicine.

Drawing on a wide range of examples from the laboratory and from the worlds of accounting, insurance, cost-benefit analysis, and civil engineering, Porter shows that it is "exactly wrong" to interpret the drive for quantitative rigor as inherent somehow in the activity of science except where political and social pressures force compromise. Instead, quantification grows from attempts to develop a strategy of impersonality in response to pressures from outside. Objectivity derives its impetus from cultural contexts, quantification becoming most important where elites are weak, where private negotiation is suspect, and where trust is in short supply.

Reviews (1)

The Pursuit of Objectivity in Science and Public Life
We have become a nation infatuated by, even dominated by, numbers. Our newspapers spew torrents of "statistics" - so many billions of dollars of this, or such and such percentage of that - and we humbly accept what we would certainly protest if it were presented in plain English.

It wasn't always so. Ted Porter, in "Trust in Numbers", goes back in time and traces the history of quantification from farmers and merchants, to engineers and accountants, and finally to the scientific community. It's tempting to assuming that this represents progress, an improvement in our ability and willingness to be objective and accurate.

"The language of pure and applied science suggests that quantitative professionals pursue rigor and objectivity except so far as political pressures force them to compromise their ideals. But this is exactly wrong. Objectivity derives its impetus, and also its shape and meaning, from cultural, including political, contexts."

Quantification, asserts Porter, is a "social technology". It arises out of the fundamental mistrust of strangers for one another as "communities" of experts become fractured and need to assert their credentials in the face of untrusting bureaucracy.

Porter quotes Richard Hammond: "In a country where the distrust of government is rife, the temptation to substitute supposedly impersonal calculation for personal, responsible decisions and to rely on the expert rather than size up the situation by oneself, cannot be but exceedingly strong."

This might all be interesting, but acceptable, if "objective" quantification were truly as pure and reliable as we assume. However, Porter goes into some detail into the difficulties the French Corps des Ponts et Chaussées and the US Corps of Engineers have had in quantifying the effect of their work on communities in order to cost justify them. If this book had been written more recently, it might have also noted the difficulties Enron and WorldCom had in quantifying their work, even under the eagle eyes of the SEC and so many "financial experts".

If Porter is correct in his interpretation of the reason for our unquestioning and lazy trust in numbers, then we need to drastically alter our education system. Here's Porter quoting Richard Hofstadter:

"The truth is that much of American education aims, simply and brazenly, to turn out experts who are not experts or men of culture at all."

The author of "Trust in Numbers" need never fear such derogation. His book is erudite and elegant and a pleasure to read. ... Read more

Book Description

This new edition of Professor Kitchin's popular Astrophysical Techniques retains the aims of the earlier edition in providing a comprehensive and clearly understandable account of the instruments and techniques used in modern astronomy and astrophysics. Many new instruments and techniques are included for the first time, and some topics have been eliminated on the grounds that they have not been used by either professional or amateur astronomers for many years.

Drawing together an ever-diverging array of observational techniques, using the common thread of detection-imaging-ancillary instruments pattern, the author provides readers with a unified view of contemporary astrophysical investigation. This fully illustrated text starts from first principles and explains each method up to the point at which the reader can begin practical work and even start designing it. Exercises with answers are used to reinforce the ideas presented in each chapter. There is also an extensive bibliography to enable further study, appendices of tables of astrophysical data and a new section on web sites and on-line resources.

The treatment of the topics is at a level appropriate to a science-based undergraduate degree. As far as possible the mathematics and physics background that may be needed for a topic is developed or given within that section. Science undergraduates taking an astronomy option will find Astrophysical Techniques an essential study aid. Amateur astronomers of any level will find this book to be of immense value. Professional astronomers should use this book as a source of information on areas unfamiliar to them, ... Read more

Book Description

A great introductory book that details reliable approaches to problems met instandard microarray data analyses. It provides examples of establishedapproaches such as cluster analysis, function prediction, and principle component analysis. Discover real examples to illustrate the key concepts of data analysis. Written for those without any advanced background in math, statistics, or computer sciences, this book is essential for anyone interested in harnessing the immense potential of microarrays in biology and medicine. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

an easy read -- a cookbook
True to its stated purpose: best used as a roadmap by mathematically unsophisticated newcomers to analysis of microarray data. Somewhat superficial, and it becomes more so in later chapters. Does not explore harder issues in detail. Does not touch upon future directions of the technology. Its advocacy of the Unix awk program is anachronistic; tellingly, the reference cited for awk is from 1988. Not a groundbreaking book, just solid practical advice.

Useful Book
"...This useful little book .... I'd recommend anyone setting out to use this methodology to buy a copy for the lab." (British Society for Developmental Biology Newsletter)

Recommended Book
"...I'd recommend anyone setting out to use this methodology to buy a copy for the lab." (British Society for Cell Biology Newsletter)

just an introductory
If you just want an general idea of how the microarray and analysis works so you can understand other people's data and method. And you willing to pay 40 bucks for 125 pages(including index) instead of search free resources online. This will be the book for you.
If you want to do array analysis your self. try other books.

"A Fine Introduction to DNA Microarray Analysis"
"...a fine introduction to DNA microarray analysis using good concrete examples, well reasoned descriptions...and much-needed examination of the tools, technologies, and research resources...after reading this book, anyone new to microarray data should understand what can...be measured..." (Nature Genetics, Vol. 33, March 2003) ... Read more

Book Description

Examines the realities of unexplained natural phenomenon and provides explanations that push the boundaries of science. * Looks at animal telepathy and the ability of pigeons to home. * Proves the point that "big questions don't need big science". * Noted scientist Rupert Sheldrake is a former research fellow of the Royal Society. * Second Edition with an Update on Results.

How does your pet "know" when you are coming home? How do pigeons "home"? Can people really feel a "phantom" amputated arm? These questions and more form the basis of Sheldrake's look at the world of contemporary science as he puts some of the most cherished assumptions of established science to the test. What Sheldrake discovers is that certain scientific beliefs are so widely taken for granted that they are no longer regarded as theories but are seen as scientific common sense. In the true spirit of science, Sheldrake examines seven of these beliefs. Refusing to let intellectual dogmatism influence his search for the truth, Sheldrake presents simple experiments that allow the curious and the skeptical to join in his journey of discovery. His experiments look at how scientific research is often biased against unexpected patterns that emerge and how a researcher's expectations can influence the results. He also examines the taboo of taking pets seriously and explores the question of human extrasensory perception. Perhaps most important, he questions the notion that science must be expensive in order to achieve important results, showing that inexpensive methods can indeed shake the very foundations of science as we know it.

In this compelling and intelligent book, Sheldrake offers no preconceived wisdom or easy answers--just an open invitation to explore the unknown, create new science, and perhaps, even change the world. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

SCIENTIFIC SHADOW BOXING
Neither a skeptic nor a believer in science, the author was searching for an opponent to box with -- more like friendly sparring. His theory of morphic resonance states that all matter and energy is governed or shaped by some sort of evolutionary habit or cumulative memory. If his perspective were broader he would fit in with David Bohm and other science mystics, but Rupert chose to fence himself in the "little science" surrounding pet dogs, homing pigeons, migrating birds, termite colonies, phantom limbs, evil eyes, and the placebo effect. Why Rupert thinks that clearcut experimental results in these areas of anecdotal, imaginative tall tales would support his morphic field theory, I haven't a clue. What is more likely is that these animals and insects have the hidden ability to detect Gaia's gravitational curved space (much like air and ship LORAN navigators read lines of position).

The author was forever hinting that chaos theory, Jung's collective unconscious or other ideas would someday reveal the whole story without telling what that would gain us (for instance, if we accepted that the fundamental constants were slightly variable). Although I would encourage new viewpoints such as morphic fields to shape the matter of the universe, I was left with the impression that this writer bit off way more than his dog could chew.

Seven Experiments that could change the world
I thought that this book gave an intriguing insight into our world, and that it brings up topics that i would never have even thought about had i not read this book. 5 stars for Rupert Sheldrake. He has an unparalleled mind when it comes to evolutionary science

Perfection
This is quietly on of the most influential books of the century. It is accelerating the rightfull and belated death of Scientism, the AMA, and the FDA.

Sheldrake is a genius
Okay, I do not have much time to respond but I just had to voice some opposition to the single reader review this book has posted. Sure, the experiments outlined are a bit more involved than your run of the mill fourth grade level chemical mixing but they are that much more involved. Sheldrake does not provide many answers but the ones he does provide are exceptionally enlightening. He does something even more important though; he demonstrates that nobody out their in the scientific community really has all the answers they claim to. Steven Hawking may be really smart, but it is Sheldrake who future generations will recognize as the man of our time whose ideas were well beyong his time.

Credulous author tries unsuccessfully to spark a revolution
I picked up this volume because its title suggested that it would encourage hands-on science activities that are essential to good teaching and effective learning. Unfortunately, I discovered on reading it that the author combines a deep antagonism for the scientific "establishment" with credulity for numerous fringe ideas. The first experiment that he suggests tests the hypothesis that your pet uses psychic powers to tell when you'll be home for dinner! Sheldrake frequently presents anecdotes as "evidence". The "do it yourself" promise of the title is broken for the reader who doesn't intend to begin raising homing pidgeons or doesn't happen to work in a laboratory capable of measuring the physical constants (such as the speed of light) to nine significant figures. Far too few cautions about the pitfalls of psychic research are given (in chapters about the feeling of being stared at, or "feeling" the touch of a severed limb). Despite the nearly fatal flaws of the book, I liked a part of its message, that important science can still be done by amateurs. That's about the only aspect of this book that is commendable. ... Read more