3 comments about Biomechanics: Motion, Flow, Stress, and Growth.

1. Fung takes a continuum mechanics approach to the principles that underly the human body. All of the ideas in the text are backed up with solid research and easy to understand equations, as well as text descriptions. Fung is also responsible for researching many of the ideas of biomechanics, and so, the text takes on a personal view not found in other books. All in all, the best book out there for introductory biomechanics, but one that you will use for the rest of your life.



2. What I would say is not a comprehensive review of what the great book talks, but just telling you a truth: if you have engineering and mathamatics background and wanna combine your background to do research in physiology, Fung's book is absolutely a must-buy. This book is profound, but it is actually rooted in nearly all fields of biomechanics research.
   It is a conclusion for biomechanics research till 1980's; also this book is a truly great reference for all current researchers who are interested in biomedical research in point of view of a mathamatician and engineer.



3. Professor Fung is considered the father of bioengineering and founder of biomechanics.
   Winner of Timoshenko and Poiseulle medals he's an Engineer that started to study physiology when his mother was diagnosed with glaucoma in 1957.
   I am trained as a Medical Doctor and Molecular Biologist but being the son of a Professor of Civil Engineering made me understand the importance that structural engineering has in Medicine and Biology.
   Now I am interested in nuclear matrix and lamins(as they are connected to aging phenomena) so I am training myself in Biomechanics, and I found that this book is the strating point.
   I recommend this book to all Structural Engineers,Biomedical Engineers, MDs and Cellular and Molecular Biologists that want to understand this field.

2 comments about RNA Methodologies, Third Edition: A Laboratory Guide for Isolation and Characterization.

1. This book is exactly what it claims to be--a laboratory guide. It provides methods that are clear, but also explains the reasons for the methods. For example: when is an RNA probe better than a DNA probe and why; when nonisotopic labels can be used effectively. Although there is not a chapter on in situ hybridization, I found the section on probes very helpful. There is also a handy glossary at the end and a primer on RNA at the beginning of the book. Dr Farrell realizes the reader maybe new to the field and so doesn't leave out the basics. However, I believe this book will be helpful to all but the most knowledgable molecular biolgists.



2. I am a RNA-chemist and I bought this book from amazon.com to get help for my day-to-day research. The moment I had my first glance at this book I was frustrated. This book has described fairly old methods but no contemporary techniques. This book is not even descrided the techniques in an advanced manner which is expected for a book based on so specific field. I would not recommend this book to anyone who has atleast the basic working knowledge of molecular biology.

2 comments about Biophysics.

1. This book is written by a biologist. However, the author discussed lots of physics topics closely related to basic biological phenomena. The most important role of this book, I believe, is making the bridge between physics and biology as well as biochemistry. Untill now, most of biophyiscs text books have been a kind of biochemsitry text book like ones. This one is distingusihed from those. This is also good for biochemistry student who wants to study physical aspects of biological system beyond the scope of biochemistry. Some parts of this book might be difficult for biology and biochemistry students but surely deserves to be read.



2. This is a very thoroughly written introductory work for biophysics, an area where it is very difficult indeed to find intro-level textbooks.
   
   Both biologists and physicists will find many new things worth exploring, and this book will certainly provide the basics for further research and study. It isn't the ten volume all-you-will-ever-want-to-know-about-biophysics, but whichever area You are starting to work with, from membrane transport to biomechanics, have a look at this book first.

2 comments about Environmental Physiology of Animals.

1. This text takes the unique approach of looking at the physiology of animals found in different environments. E.g. one may be interested in the adaptations found in deep sea animals or in intertidal organisms? It is an excellent text with plenty of information to allow one to get a better understanding of the array of physiological adaptations needed. It is also interesting to see how different types of animals have solved the same physiological problem. Overall, it is fascinating reading! Highly recommended. It would be useful for a prospective reader to have some previous knowledge of zoology and physiology before taking on this book.



2. Are you working in the area physiological functioning and the comparative adaptations of animals? If you are, this book is for you. Authors Pat Willmer, Graham Stone and Ian A. Johnston, have written an outstanding book that integrates animal physiology into a more holistic approach.
   
   Willmer, Stone and Johnston, begin by considering adaptation in relation to selection on phenotypes, as determined by genes and their constituent DNA. Then, they cover the process of adaptation in a suitable molecular context, so that new information on the molecular interactions and genomic changes underlying ecophysiological modification can be easily assimilated as it becomes available. The authors continue by discussing the problems of size and scale. In addition, they also present the mechanisms for keeping volumes and concentrations of biological solutions under control--thus, keeping animal tissues operative, in the face of this fundamental challenge. The authors also examine the problem of animal water balance in terms of the actions , and control, of particular effector organs. Then, the authors discuss metabolism and energy supply. Next, they look at the fundamental design of respiratory systems whereby aerobically respiring animals take up the oxygen they require. Then, the authors review the effects of temperature on animals, and the kinds of adaptation they show to withstand or to counter temperature change. Next, they examine the basic functioning of excitable tissues, and how they permit detection of environmental change, response to it, and indeed learning about it. The authors continue by examining the properties and roles of hormones, especially in relation to the bigger issues of coping with environmental challenges, dealing first with the endocrine systems and component glands in different kinds of animals, then with the various functions that are regulated by specific hormones. In addition, they also examine marine life in general. The authors also discuss seashores and estuaries. Then, the authors discuss the nature and occurrence of fresh water. Next, they cover a range of "aquatic" habitats that are in various ways not strictly within the definitions of marine, littoral, estuarine, or freshwater habitats. Then, the authors cover the essential strategies of the broad range of animals that live in the majority of terrestrial habitats; particularly, in the temperate zones and the humid tropics, where thermal extremes are rarely encountered, and where water balance, though difficult to achieve, is not pushed to the limits for survival. Next, they deal with some special cases of terrestrial life: hot and arid deserts, where the hygrothermal endurance limits of animal residents may be severely tested; polar regions, tundra, and northern coniferous forests, where extreme cold is superimposed on the generality of terrestrial problems; and, montane habitats, where altitude effects may parallel the latitudinal effects at the poles. Finally, the authors survey the departures from a free-living physiology that are associated with a range of types of parasitism.
   
   This excellent book also includes both an ecological setting and an appreciation of the range of behavioral responses open to individual animals before specific physiological responses need to come into play. Furthermore, the book has clearly met a need and found a very receptive audience.

1 comments about Plant Biochemistry, Third Edition.

1. This book is advanced, BUT is well written, easy to understand, and has good diagrams.
   This is an EXCELLENT book. HIGHLY recommended!

1 comments about Physics in Molecular Biology.

1. In recent years physicists have been developing a series of statistical tools that help them to understand how large groups of things operate. Even more recently some of these same techniques have begun to be applied to biological concepts and to the modelling of complex biological processes. The techniques use the standard physical concepts of force, energy, and entropy but apply them to life processes.
   
   Dr. Sneppen is a professor of biophysics. He is a theorist who teaches on the physics of biological system and mathematical biology. Dr. Zocchi teaches biophysics at advanced undergraduate and graduate level at UCLA. This book is intended as a text for third or fourth year study in the physics department undergraduate school. It is written from the standpoint of the physicist and should serve as an introduction to the merger of the physical and biological sciences. Obviously some background in statistics and biology will help the student, but it is not required.

5 comments about Field Methods in Archaeology.

1. The three recent comments on FIELD METHODS, 7th ed. need some clarification. Yes, the book is long, very long. I didn't know we had any statistics in it (reviewer #1)! It is not comparable to Joukowsky, as her book, like our 6th ed., Hester, et al. l975, is now badly out of date. The 7th ed., l997, is designed as (l) a text, especially for field schools (2) a reference on contemporary approaches to field archaeology. It is not a trade book, especially since Mayfield does not discount to bookstores. The long-winded aspect comes from an effort to review contemporary archaeology, which is changing rapidly and covers a broad area of inquiry. The academic review cards received by Mayfield after publication were overwhelmingly positive. Thus, the book appeals largely to professionals and active avocational archaeologists. It is not a "light read" on the glorious discoveries of archaeology.



2. As a person interested in learning more about archaeology field methods, I found this book had good explanations of some very puzzling processes. It also makes a great textbook and was used to prepare students for a field school by professors at UT Dallas. Good book - but you may have to read it over a couple of times in order to fully grasp all the knowledge presented.



3. This is a comprehensive text book, not of the "Archaeology for Dummies" variety. More than a couple universities use this book as their standard text for senior level courses in archaeological field methods. Be prepared to learn rather than entertained...it's a serious work. As for the writing style, most text books could stand to be re-written by some best-selling author, but had to give this one five stars just to bring its score up from the absurd two and a half it is currently rated at.



4. Fantastic book! Very clear and very comprehensive. If you are serious about archaeology, you'll enjoy this book. If you're a hobbyist or have comprehension issues, you might not enjoy it. Highly recommended.



5. This is an excellent book for a student of archaeological methods. If you are looking for light reading, as some of the earlier reviews must have been, then look somewhere else.

5 comments about Weak Links: Stabilizers of Complex Systems from Proteins to Social Networks (The Frontiers Collection).

1. It is an intriguing concept.
   
   Weak links, invisible in many networks, are critical to its stability. In this book, Peter Csermely shows that all networks, from the universe to molecules are governed by the same principles. Regardless of the system -- atoms, cells, companies, web pages or countries -- surprisingly, the weak links stabilize each.
   
   Csermely, a professor at Semmelweis University in Budapest, a former Fogarty Fellow at Harvard University, is a molecular chaperones specialist. In 2003, he became fascinated by the concept of affinity -- a network's stabilizing components of must have weak links to the other components. These weak links act as hubs. Attack the hubs; disrupt the network.
   
   Csermely demonstrates the concept hold true in field after field. The professor begins his study with a discussion of the Granovetter study of a job search and then proceeds to describe network dynamics. By chapter four, the reader is ready to be introduced to the concept of weak links as universal stabilizers. Then, the professor conducts a network tour ranging from macromolecules to the planet earth. Finally he ends with a discussion of weak links, stability landscapes and game theory.
   
   Surprisingly, his book is understandable, even to non-academics. It is loaded with gems that can be applied to the reader's networks and relationships.
   
   This is not a book I would have ever picked up on my own. Thankfully, Professor Csermely sent me an advanced copy. It is a unique book that takes a thorough look at an intriguing concept.



2. If you ever needed another good reason to value your grandmother even more, you'll find the answer in "Weak links".
   
   Structurally, his book starts with an exposition on network theory and
   terminology, then the application and discussion of these concepts to
   real-life complex systems on many scales and applied to many domains (physical, natural, technological, social). His main point is, as the reviewer noted above, that 'weak' links (weak: additional/removal does not statistically affect the average of some metric) stabilize systems.
   
   The book has thorough footnotes, one can delve as deep as one would like
   into the professional papers. In addition, Csermely is an honest scholar - he shows his hands when there is mere speculation (you have to see the book's unique pictograms to appreciate the effects)
   
   After pouring through several alternatives, I have adopted this book as a
   textbook for my Science of Networks class (I'm CS fac at an elite US liberal arts school), and I recommend it to anyone without hesitation for a readable, and learned exposition.
   
   I only have two or three caveats from a specialist's point of view: The
   phenomenological discovery of power laws in complex systems is not unusual
   and may not be evidence of any SF properties. Scale-free is an abused
   term, and I wish the controversy about it were explained a bit more. Also, from a modelling point of view, I wish Doyle and Carlson's work on HOT systems were discussed in more depth.
   
   But these are minor points, relatively speaking. This is a gem of a book:
   erudite, humane, funny, accessible and thoroughly fascinating. On every
   page, there are delights that lead down new intellectual paths.
   
   Csermely did a great service to pedagogy and to this budding science with
   this magisterial survey. Outstanding in its ease of access for intelligent
   undergraduates and commendable for intellectual honesty - I wish more
   books (textbooks and otherwise) were written this way.



3. I've just finished reading "Weak Links: Stabilizers of Complex Systems from Proteins to Social Networks" by Peter Csermely , who is a Professor of Biochemistry at the Semmelweis University of Budapest. The central theme is weak links are the determinants of system stability and diversity. Csermely defines a link "as 'weak', when its addition or removal does not change the mean value of a target measure at a statistically discernible way" (p. 83).
   
   The book is an interesting read if only because its topic matter ranges from network complexity in physical systems, to biological systems, and finally social and cultural systems. Personally I think there are a few longbows drawn, but in fairness Csermely does clearly indicate where he is engaging in speculation. One fascinating discussion was the discourse on pink noise. Pink noise is also known as coloured noise, flicker noise, crackling noise and Barkhausen noise. Seemingly pink noise is present in systems as diverse as solar flares, traffic flows and group decision making, and has a stabilising or relaxing effect. Quoting several scientific sources he postulates that pink noise helps neural synchronisation, which is partly responsible for memory formation. To put it another way if you want to memorise something have Mozart playing in the background rather than bagpipes, because Mozart's music has pink noise properties!
   
   Csermeley's discussion on immunological networks is also interesting. He says an immune system has to solve four problems:
   
   the self/ non-self recognition problem;
   the signal to noise problem;
   the context problem; and
   the response problem.
   
   Now this is interesting because the later three points define the knowledge retrieval problem of a knowledge management system. Apparently weak links are the immune system's mechanism to solve these problems.
   
   A software package typically consists of several hierarchical and modular components, which are bound by strong links. Taking a lesson from the immune system perhaps we need to build software with lots of weak links, and ensure our people and process dimensions also have many weak links? Perhaps these weak links will allow the percolation of knowledge through the human, process, and technology systems. Perhaps our real problem with knowledge management is we try to over-engineer everything and in so doing build strong links rather than weak links. I'm beginning to think weak links matter.
   
   I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in networks.
   
   Regards, Graham



4. This is a very interesting topic, but I was very frustrated by the authors writing style.
   
   He puts statements out there with very little explanation or supportive arguments. I feel like there are holes all over.
   
   At times he comes across as condesending, yet at other times, he is very difficult to follow.
   
   Sometimes he treats subjects as a big break through or completely new when I have read the same ideas in many other books.
   
   It is hard to put my finger on exactly why, but this is the most annoying systems book I have ever read.



5. Brilliant book -- he summarizes research from many fields by using the perspective of weak links. The annotated bibliography might be worth the price of the book alone! Every few pages I put the book down and reflect on how it ties things together. If I only had 5 systems books this would be one.

1 comments about The Squid Giant Synapse: A Model for Chemical Transmission.

1. Review of "The Squid Giant Synapse" a model for chemical transmission" by Rodolfo R. Llinas.

   It was a pleasure to read this small book because Professor Llinas has managed to review his work and that of others within 160 pages. Llinas has written a very readable book that traces the history of transmission at the synapse. He has covered this difficult subject synthesizing ultrastructure, electrophysiology and molecular biology. The writer has been prominent in this field for 30 years and the book reflects his deep understanding of the subject. Dr. Llinas has managed to incorporate the major findings of some 500 papers into a working hypothesis of synaptic transmission. In spite of the complexity of the subject there are few errors. On page 65 microdomains should be in square microns and not square millimeters but this typographical error should be obvious when looking at Figure 3.2G and Plate 8. This little book is a must for graduate students and neuroscientists in general because it serves as both a starting reference and as a working text. The index is very helpful to find definitions used in the field (a glossary would be helpful). The soft ware shows the relationship of the presynaptic calcium current and postsynaptic voltage. This program will be instructive to students in understanding the importance of calcium dependencies on transmitter release. The Squid Giant Synapse should be a companion with Nerve, Muscle and Synapse by B.Katz and The Physiology of Synapses by J.C. Eccles.

No comments about Handbook of Stem Cells, Two-Volume Set with CD-ROM, Volume 1-2: Volume 1-Embryonic Stem Cells; Volume 2-Adult & Fetal Stem Cells.