Extremes: Surviving the World's Harshest Environments

Book Description

An Oxford don and explorer puts his bodyand mind to the test in a unique survival experiment, traveling to the earth's most extreme places to learn how people surviveat the edges of human existence T hrough swamp, desert, jungle, and the arctic, Nick Middleton pits himself against the elements and explains the geographical conditions that conspire to produce the world's harshest ecologies. Traveling from northern Greenland to the Congo, and from desert-dwellers to tree-dwellers,he provides an amazing account of his experiences surviving the most unwelcoming environments on earth.

Customer Reviews:

Enjoyable Travelogue Through Ice, Jungle, Sand and Swamp.......2005-09-07

Nick Middleton sets out to visit for a brief time some of our planet's harshest environments and share with his reading public how people manage to live there every day of their lives.

He titles is chapters "Ice," "Jungle," "Sand," and "Swamp." Ice takes him to Greenland in pursuit of the narwhal with natives above the Arctic Circle. Jungle takes Middleton to deepest, darkest Africa on a hike with pygmy people through dense jungle. Sand sees Middleton crossing the Sahara Desert with an all-female camel caravan in pursuit of trade and water. Finally, in swamp, the author canoes into remote Papua, a south-sea island barely above sea level to determine if fresh water crocodiles inhabit the land.

This is a good book that teaches as well as entertains. Middleton makes sure to tell about Greenland's history, the interactions of various Congo tribal groups, missionary work among the Papua tribes and social relations in the desert. Along the way he eats his share of termites, participates in a Tubu tribe dating ritual involving body paint and preening for the unattached ladies and helps build habitable land in the swamp with a machete and sea grass.

The book entertains as well as informs. An enjoyable ride for armchair travelers

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Entoloma in North America: The Species Described by L.R. Hesler A.H. Smith and S.J. Mazzer : Type-Studies and Comments (Cryptogamic Studies, Vol 2)
M. E. Noordeloos
Manufacturer: Vch Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science | Subjects | Books
Fungi | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0895742764

Customer Reviews:

Blue Guides are reliably the best for those who believe a thousand words are worth more than a picture........2005-09-05

Blue Guides are meant for those who prefer several paragraphs of historical background to a glossy picture. They are well researched and well written. They do not, however, include much about accommodations or food.

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The Blue Guides: Denmark

Manufacturer: Ernest Benn Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000H311BM

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Wales (Blue Guides)
John Tomes
Manufacturer: W W Norton & Co Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Travel | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0393306887

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Denmark (The Blue guides)
L. Russell Muirhead
Manufacturer: Benn
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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DENMARK -- THE BLUE GUIDES
Stuart (editor) Rossiter
Manufacturer: Ernest Benn Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000VLC4DO

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Denmark; Blue Guide

Manufacturer: Ernest Benn Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000I2Z49C

Book Description

The completion of the human genome project in 2000 dramatically emphasized the imminent success of the genetic revolution. The ethical and social consequences of this scientific development are immense. From human reproduction to life-extending therapies, from the impact on gender and race to public health and public safety, there is scarcely a part of our lives left unaffected by the impact of the new genetics.A Companion to Genethics is the first substantial study of the multifaceted dimensions of the genetic revolution and its philosophical, ethical, social, and political significance. It brings together the best and most influential contemporary writing about genethics. Newly commissioned essays from prominent figures in the current debate provide a wide-ranging and fascinating scholarly analysis of all the issues that arise from this explosive science.

Average customer rating:

Solid and compelling

The Ethics of Human Gene Therapy
LeRoy Walters , and Julie Gage Palmer
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Ethics | Business Life | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Genetics | Evolution | Science | Subjects | Books

Genetics | Basic Science | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Medical Ethics | Physician & Patient | Medicine | Subjects | Books

General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0195059557

Book Description

The authors of this absorbing new book describe the science of gene therapy in terms easily accessible to the non-specialist, and focus on the controversial ethical and public policy issues surrounding human interventions in human heredity. After a brief survey of the structure and functions of DNA, genes, and cells, Walters and Palmer discuss three major types of potential genetic intervention: somatic cell gene therapy, germ line gene therapy, and genetic enhancements. They start with the current techniques of gene addition, using non-reproductive (somatic) cells in an effort to cure or treat disease. Next they address the technical problems and moral issues facing attempts to prevent disease through genetically modifying early human embryos or sperm and egg cells. These changes would be passed on to future generations. Chapter 4, in many ways the most original part of this volume, confronts the issue of employing genetic means to improve human abilities and appearance. Depending on the techniques employed, such enhancements could affect not only the individuals receiving the intervention but their offspring as well. Three types of genetic enhancements are considered: physical alterations to improve size, reduce the need for sleep, and decelerate aging; intellectual enhancements of memory and general cognitive ability; and moral enhancements for control of violently aggressive behavior. The authors maintain that genetic modifications should be evaluated individually rather than be condemned in principle or as a group. The final chapter summarizes the public review process that human gene therapy proposals have been undergoing in the United States since 1990. Five appendices, providing technical background information along with a complete list of questions raised in the national public review process, supplement the discussion.

Customer Reviews:

Solid and compelling.......2000-10-12

Walters and Palmer present here a solid argument regarding the impending technology of human gene therapy. They walk through the science carefully, but the core of the book is on the development of criteria for when trials in gene therapy would be acceptable. While this reviewer does not agree with every stand they take, the book will be a classic in the ethics of gene therapy because of its careful argument and thorough analysis.

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New Biology and Genetic Diseases
Bakhtaver S. Mahajan , and Medha S. Rajadhyaksha
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Genetics | Evolution | Science | Subjects | Books

Genetics | Basic Science | Medicine | Subjects | Books

General | Diseases | Medicine | Subjects | Books

General | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Medical Ethics | Physician & Patient | Medicine | Subjects | Books

General | Disorders & Diseases | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0195647696

Book Description

It is now recognized that heritable diseases are due to defective structure or function of specific genes. The knowledge of various developments in genetics can greatly reduce individual human suffering as well as the economic and social costs to the society. Simultaneously, this deluge of genetic information also poses several ethical, legal and social dilemmas which must be resolved by broad discussions at the popular level. This is possible only if the common people have the knowledge of at least the basics of this field. This richly illustrated book will be a small but significant step in this direction. The focus is on thallasaemia, a major inherited disease in India.

Man-Made Man: Ethical and Legal Issues in Genetics

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Man-Made Man: Ethical and Legal Issues in Genetics

Manufacturer: Four Courts Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Ethics | Business Life | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Medical Law & Legislation | Family & Health Law | Law | Subjects | Books

Ethics & Morality | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Genetics | Evolution | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Genetics | Basic Science | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Medical Ethics | Physician & Patient | Medicine | Subjects | Books

The Ethics of Human Gene Therapy.(Statistical Data Included)(Review): An article from: The Hastings Center Report

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The Ethics of Human Gene Therapy.(Statistical Data Included)(Review): An article from: The Hastings Center Report
Christoph Rehmann-Sutter
Manufacturer: Hastings Center
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Science & Technology | Subjects | e-Docs | Formats | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Hastings Center Report, published by Hastings Center on May 1, 1999. The length of the article is 868 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: The Ethics of Human Gene Therapy.(Statistical Data Included)(Review)
Author: Christoph Rehmann-Sutter
Publication: The Hastings Center Report (Refereed)
Date: May 1, 1999
Publisher: Hastings Center
Volume: 29 Issue: 3 Page: 43

Article Type: Statistical Data Included, Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine: Gene therapy

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Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine: Gene therapy
Katherine S. Hunt MS
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Medical | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

Book Description

The article is excerpted from Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine.

Consult the second edition of this authoritative, comprehensive, in-depth medical guide for information on more than 1,700 medical topics in language accessible to adult laypersons. Presented in a single alphabetical sequence, articles range in length from one or two paragraphs for minor topics, to several pages or more for major topics. Disease/disorder articles typically cover definition; description; causes and symptoms; diagnosis; treatments; prevention; and more. Test/treatment articles typically cover definition; purposes; precautions; preparation; risks; normal and abnormal results; and much more. This second edition includes more than 200 new entries, 300 updated entries, approximately 650 color images and illustrations, and a comprehensive subject index. New features include biographical and historical sidebars throughout the text.

Disease/disorder articles contain some or all of the following sections:

Definitions -- brief dictionary-style definition of the disorder
Descriptions -- overview of the disorder; who gets it and why
Causes & symptoms -- process, substance or organism that produces the condition; any risk factors that increase susceptibility to the condition; signs and symptoms of the disease
Diagnosis -- overview of procedures and tests used to diagnose the condition; how the test is done; who should be tested and when; time required; cost; whether it's typically covered by insurance
Treatments -- overview of conventional methods of care or management of the condition, such as drugs, surgeries, physical therapy, etc.
Alternative treatments -- overview of alternative/complementary therapies that may be used to treat the condition
Prognosis -- probable outcome of the disease
Preventions -- what actions can be taken to prevent the condition from occurring

Test/treatment articles contain some or all of the following sections:

Definitions -- brief dictionary-style definition of the test/treatment
Purposes -- why and when this test/treatment is prescribed
Precautions -- when this test/treatment should not be prescribed
Descriptions -- overview of the test/treatment including cost, length of time required, procedures followed, whether typically covered by insurance
Preparation -- pre-test treatment procedures, if any
Aftercare -- post-test treatment procedures, if any
Risks -- any complications/side effects commonly associated with the test/treatment
Normal results -- for tests, describes the normal values; for treatments, describes the anticipated outcomes
Abnormal results -- defines abnormal test values

Published/Released: December 2001

Gene therapy: An entry from Thomson Gale's
<i>Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health</i>

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Gene therapy: An entry from Thomson Gale's Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
L. Fleming, Jr., MD, DrPH Fallon
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Medical | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

Book Description

The “Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health” is an alphabetically arranged five-volume set of more than 850 entries written for students and professionals in the field. Topics include body systems and functions, conditions and common diseases, issues and theories, techniques and practices, and devices and equipment. The Encyclopedia covers all major health professions, including nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, medical lab technology, emergency medical technology, dental assistance, pharmacology and nutrition, and features appendices of related organizations, agencies and associations.

Gene therapy: An entry from Thomson Gale's
<i>Gale Encyclopedia of Science, 3rd ed.</i>

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Gene therapy: An entry from Thomson Gale's Gale Encyclopedia of Science, 3rd ed.
David Petechuk , and Brian Cobb
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Medical | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

Book Description

The “Gale Encyclopedia of Science” is written at a level somewhere between the introductory sources and the highly technical texts currently available. This six-volume set covers all major areas of science and engineering, as well as mathematics and the medical and health sciences, while providing a comprehensive overview of current scientific knowledge and technology. Alphabetically arranged entries provide a user-friendly format that makes the broad scope of information easy to access and decipher. Entries typically describe scientific concepts, provide overviews of scientific areas and, in some cases, define terms.

Mapping and beyond. (Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences conference on the human genome project): An article from: The Hastings Center Report

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Mapping and beyond. (Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences conference on the human genome project): An article from: The Hastings Center Report
Judith Miller
Manufacturer: Hastings Center
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Science & Technology | Subjects | e-Docs | Formats | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Hastings Center Report, published by Hastings Center on November 1, 1990. The length of the article is 1277 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Mapping and beyond. (Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences conference on the human genome project)
Author: Judith Miller
Publication: The Hastings Center Report (Refereed)
Date: November 1, 1990
Publisher: Hastings Center
Volume: v20 Issue: n6 Page: p3(2)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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ETHICS OF HUMAN GENE THERAPY
Leroy Walters
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OK0ND0

Book Description

The book covers current knowledge on all aspects of polyester synthesis, structure, properties (chemical, physical and application relevant) and recycling. The most important technical polyesters are presented in detailed chapters, homogeneous polymers as well as copolymers, blends and high-performance reinforced polyester materials are discussed.
This book is directed to chemists, physicists and engineers working in research, development and application of polymers.

Book Description

The Mathematical Theory of Tone Systems patterns a unified theory defining the tone system in functional terms based on the principles and forms of uncertainty theory. This title uses geometrical nets and other measures to study all classes of used and theoretical tone systems, from Pythagorean tuning to superparticular pentatonics. Hundreds of examples of past and prevalent tone systems are featured. Topics include Fuzziness and Sonance, Wavelets and Nonspecificity, Pitch Granulation and Ambiguity, Equal Temperaments, Mean Tone Systems. Well Tempered Systems, Ptolemy Systems, and more. Appendices include extended lists of tone systems and a catalogue of historical organs with subsemitones.

Average customer rating:

Che bella

Precious, Derivative and Boring

Toscanamericano

Charming tale

A pleasant enough read

The Miracles of Santo Fico: A Novel
Dennis L. Smith
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Home To Italy

Casa Rossa : A Novel

Extra Virgin: A Young Woman Discovers the Italian Riviera, Where Every Month Is Enchanted

An Italian Affair

Every Sunday

ASIN: 0446690368

Amazon.com

If you savored Joanne Harris's Chocolat or Frances Mayes's Under the Tuscan Sun, if you dream of honeymooning in San Gimignano or you've ever stood in a specialty foods store sighing over imported olive oil, you will fall hard for The Miracles of Santo Fico. By turns sentimental, romantic, and mischievous, D.L. Smith's debut novel is set in a small Italian hill town, like hundreds of others, that has been in decline for 60 years. Remote and dusty, with a dry fountain in its modest piazza, Santo Fico only attracts tourists when local boys change the road signs. But there is one hidden treasure in the grubby old church--a perfectly preserved fresco of St. Francis that looks strangely, miraculously like the work of Giotto--and when a black sheep named Leo Pizzolo tempts God by trying to profit from it, he must come up with a few miracles of his own to save the town. Expect picturesque charm, old wrongs made right, and a happy ending for all. --Regina Marler

Book Description

If you savored Joanne Harris's Chocolat or Frances Mayes's Under the Tuscan Sun, if you dream of honeymooning in San Gimignano or you've ever stood in a specialty foods store sighing over imported olive oil, you will fall hard for The Miracles of Santo Fico.By turns sentimental, romantic, and mischievous, D.L. Smith's debut novel is set in a small Italian hill town, like hundreds of others, that has been in decline for 60 years.Remote and dusty, with a dry fountain in its modest piazza, Santo Fico only attracts tourists when local boys change the road signs. But there is one hidden treasure in the grubby old church--a perfectly preserved fresco of St. Francis that looks strangely, miraculously like the work of Giotto--and when a black sheep named Leo Pizzolo tempts God by trying to profit from it, he must come up with a few miracles of his own to save the town.Expect picturesque charm, old wrongs made right, and a happy ending for all. --Regina Marler

Customer Reviews:

Che bella.......2007-09-03

The remote Tuscan village of Santo Fico has not only been forgotten by the rest of the world, but its dwindling population is disheartened and worn down by life's disappointments. When Leo Pizzola returns from America to sell his family farm, his plan is to take the money and run. But it hasn't been easy, and as the months pass, Leo becomes more and more entangled with the problems of his former friends and neighbors. What is Father Elio's terrible secret? Why is the beautiful Marta so bitter? Will Carmen find herself in serious trouble? And what about the piazza's fountain, bone dry since the Nazis came and went?

DL Smith has admirably captured the essence of such places , many of which still dot the spaces outside Italy's big cities. His characters, even when engaged in less than honorable things, are finely drawn and likeable, fully human. The plot of Santo Fico is deceptively simple, as circumstances coalesce to force various townspeople to look into their deepest souls to recognize what is most important to each of them. Saints, legends, the famous Italian temperament, food, adolescence, tourists - these and countless other features and details enliven without descending into stereotype. The miracles of the title exist on many different plains, from the comically mundane to the luminous. Santo Fico presents a timeless, almost magical story in a charming, enticing, and literate style. I do hope there's a sequel in the works.

Precious, Derivative and Boring.......2006-11-20

Every reveal foreknown and an eternity to develop. Read any of Barry Unsworth on Italy ('After Hannibal') for the geniune experience.

Toscanamericano.......2006-07-30

This was a sweet book. It does show the lamenting Italian character as well as the way in which Tuscans are most welcoming of strangers in general. The antisemitism aspect seemed out of touch with the Tuscany I know and admire. The characters were a tad bit flat. The fascination with Evangelism also seemes out of character with the prevailing Religious views of the region where heresy is actually orthodox. Nevertheless the delicate way in which the protagonists were handled was very touching and genuine. The eventual reconciliation of the barista and his wife was handled with finesse and was very Tuscan. Some of the parolacce (colorful language) were a little off but it was a great read overall.

Charming tale.......2006-07-01

The book is a delightful tale and the images are beautifully drawn of this forgotten little village in Italy. The characters are colorful and lovingly developed. A great read.

A pleasant enough read.......2006-05-27

Want a humorous, gentle book to spend an afternoon and evening with? This is a good choice. Everything is quite satisfactory - writing, plotting, characters and the comic sense is delightful. No puzzlements, no surprises but a quiet gentle telling of a quiet no so gentle life in a forgotten costal village. Here people are people - not recognizing love, living lies, engaging in teenaged power struggles, fear of faults or pasts being exposed. Everything hangs together on the thread of what two decades ago was four friends. Now one dead, one widows, one returned from American to settle his father's estate and one delightfully inept plodder. The three survivors slowly see their lives changed as the past is written in light of more information than they understood before.

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