Mature sciences have been long been characterized in terms of the "successfulness", "reliability" or "trustworthiness" of their theoretical, experimental or technical accomplishments. Today many philosophers of science talk of "robustness", often without specifying in a precise way the meaning of this term. This lack of clarity is the cause of frequent misunderstandings, since all these notions, and that of robustness in particular, are connected to fundamental issues, which concern nothing less than the very nature of science and its specificity with respect to other human practices, the nature of rationality and of scientific progress; and science's claim to be a truth-conducive activity. This book offers for the first time a comprehensive analysis of the problem of robustness, and in general, that of the reliability of science, based on several detailed case studies and on philosophical essays inspired by the so-called practical turn in philosophy of science.

It has become increasingly evident that there is much to begained from a detailed understanding of the structure and properties of polymers in the oriented state. This book reftects the growth of interest in this area of polymer scienceand attempts to give the reader an up to date viewofthe present position. The individual chapters are for the most part self contained, and cover a very wide range of topics. It is intended that each of them should serve the dual purpose of an expository introduction to the subject and a topical review of recent research. It is inevitable that there will be differences of style and approach in the contributions from the different authors. No atternpt has been made to moderate these differences, as they serve to illustrate the diversity of approaches required to give the reader a balanced view of the subject. I should like to thank the contributors for their endeavours, and especially for their patience in accepting modifications and corrections which make for consistency in the book as a whole. 1 am particularly indebted to Professor Leslie Holliday who originally approached me with the proposition that such a book would be a worthwhile venture and to the publishers who have given me every assistance in making its progress as painless as possible."

This book was first published in 2004. Plato, Aristophanes and the creators of the 'Orphic' gold tablets employ the traditional tale of a journey to the realm of the dead to redefine, within the mythic narrative, the boundaries of their societies. Rather than being the relics of a faded ritual tradition or the products of Orphic influence, these myths can only reveal their meanings through a close analysis of the specific ways in which each author makes use of the tradition. For these authors, myth is an agonistic discourse, neither a kind of sacred dogma nor a mere literary diversion, but rather a flexible tool that serves the wide variety of uses to which it is put. The traditional tale of the journey to the Underworld in Greek mythology is neither simple nor single, but each telling reveals a perspective on the cosmos, a reflection of the order of this world through the image of the other.

After more than twenty years of use Good Laboratory Practice, or GLP, has attained a secure place in the world of testing chemicals and other "test items" with regard to their safety for humans and the environment. Gone are the days when the GLP regulations were hotly debated amongst scientists in academia and industry and were accused of stifling flexibility in, imaginative approaches to, and science-based conduct of, all kinds of studies concerned with toxic effects and other parameters important for the evaluation and assessment of products submitted for registration and permission to market. The GLP regulations have developed from rules on how to exactly document the planning, conduct and reporting of toxicity studies to a quality system for the management of a multitude of study types, from the simple determination of a physical/chemical parameter to the most complex field studies or ecotoxicology studies. At the same time the term "Good Laboratory Practice" has become somewhat of a slogan with the aim to characterise any reliably conducted laboratory work.

From Fossils to Astrobiology reviews developments in paleontology and geobiology that relate to the rapidly-developing field of Astrobiology, the study of life in the Universe. Many traditional areas of scientific study, including astronomy, chemistry and planetary science, contribute to Astrobiology, but the study of the record of life on planet Earth is critical in guiding investigations in the rest of the cosmos. In this varied book, expert scientists from 15 countries present peer-reviewed, stimulating reviews of paleontological and astrobiological studies. The overviews of established and emerging techniques for studying modern and ancient microorganisms on Earth and beyond, will be valuable guides to evaluating biosignatures which could be found in the extraterrestrial surface or subsurface within the Solar System and beyond. This volume also provides discussion on the controversial reports of "nanobacteria" in the Martian meteorite ALH84001. It is a unique volume among Astrobiology monographs in focusing on fossil evidence from the geological record and will be valuable to students and researchers alike.

The underlying idea and motive for the book is that the notion of complexity may humanize the social sciences, may conceive the complex human being as more human, and turn reality as assumed in our doing social science into a more complex, that is a richer reality for all. The main focus of this book is on new thinking in complexity, with complexity to be taken as derived from the Latin word complexus: 'that which is interwoven.' The trans-disciplinary approach advocated here will be trans-disciplinary in two ways: firstly, by going beyond the separate disciplines within the fields of both natural sciences and social sciences, and, secondly, by going beyond the separate cultures of the natural sciences and of the social sciences and humanities.

This book presents the findings of the study, and offers analysis of both its methodological and policy-related implications. On the methodology side, it assesses and validates the valuation workshop approach; appraises the effect of distance on willingness to pay and the influence of the respondents' ability to pay. From a policy perspective, the book examines the attitudes and preference of respondents on trade-offs between economic growth and ecological use.

Remote Sensing image analysis is mostly done using only spectral information on a pixel by pixel basis. Information captured in neighbouring cells, or information about patterns surrounding the pixel of interest often provides useful supplementary information. This book presents a wide range of innovative and advanced image processing methods for including spatial information, captured by neighbouring pixels in remotely sensed images, to improve image interpretation or image classification. Presented methods include different types of variogram analysis, various methods for texture quantification, smart kernel operators, pattern recognition techniques, image segmentation methods, sub-pixel methods, wavelets and advanced spectral mixture analysis techniques. Apart from explaining the working methods in detail a wide range of applications is presented covering land cover and land use mapping, environmental applications such as heavy metal pollution, urban mapping and geological applications to detect hydrocarbon seeps.

The book is meant for professionals, PhD students and graduates who use remote sensing image analysis, image interpretation and image classification in their work related to disciplines such as geography, geology, botany, ecology, forestry, cartography, soil science, engineering and urban and regional planning.

In a contribution (Bartlett, 1971 a) to the Symposium on Statistical Ecology at Yale in 1969, I noted in my introductory remarks that that paper was not intended to be in any way a review of statistical techniques for analysing spatial patterns. My contribution to a conference at Sheffield in 1973 aimed, at least in part, to supply such a review and forms the basis of this monograph; but in these prefatory remarks I must still make clear what I decided to discuss, and what I have omitted. Broadly speaking, the coverage is that included in seminars and lectures I have given on this theme since 1969. We may divide problems of spatial pattern (in contrast with complete random chaos) into (i) detecting departures from randomness, Oi) analysing such departures when detected, for example, in relation to some stochastic model and (iii) special problems which require separate consideration; for example, sophisticated problems of pattern recognition in specific fields, such as the computer reading of handwriting or recognition of chromosomes.

The literature on queueing theory is already very large. It contains more than a dozen books and about a thousand papers devoted exclusively to the subject; plus many other books on probability theory or operations research in which queueing theory is discussed. Despite this tremendous activity, queueing theory, as a tool for analysis of practical problems, remains in a primitive state; perhaps mostly because the theory has been motivated only superficially by its potential applications. People have devoted great efforts to solving the 'wrong problems. ' Queueing theory originated as a very practical subject. Much ofthe early work was motivated by problems concerning telephone traffic. Erlang, in particular, made many important contributions to the subject in the early part of this century. Telephone traffic remained one of the principle applications until about 1950. After World War II, activity in the fields of operations research and probability theory grew rapidly. Queueing theory became very popular, particularly in the late 1950s, but its popularity did not center so much around its applications as around its mathematical aspects. With the refine ment of some clever mathematical tricks, it became clear that exact solutions could be found for a large number of mathematical problems associated with models of queueing phenomena. The literature grew from 'solutions looking for a problem' rather than from 'problems looking for a solution."

Prior to the 1970's a substantial literature had accumulated on the theory of optimal design, particularly of optimal linear regression design. To a certain extent the study of the subject had been piecemeal, different criteria of optimality having been studied separately. Also to a certain extent the topic was regarded as being largely of theoretical interest and as having little value for the practising statistician. However during this decade two significant developments occurred. It was observed that the various different optimality criteria had several mathematical properties in common; and general algorithms for constructing optimal design measures were developed. From the first of these there emerged a general theory of remarkable simplicity and the second at least raised the possibility that the theory would have more practical value. With respect to the second point there does remain a limiting factor as far as designs that are optimal for parameter estimation are concerned, and this is that the theory assumes that the model be collected is known a priori. This of course underlying data to is seldom the case in practice and it often happens that designs which are optimal for parameter estimation allow no possibility of model validation. For this reason the theory of design for parameter estimation may well have to be combined with a theory of model validation before its practical potential is fully realized. Nevertheless discussion in this monograph is limited to the theory of design optimal for parameter estimation.

In June 1975, the distinguished Harvard entomologist Edward O. Wilson published a truly huge book entitled, Sociobiology: The New Synthesis. In this book, drawing on both fact and theory, Wilson tried to present a com prehensive overview of the rapidly growing subject of 'sociobiology', the study of the biological nature and foundations of animal behaviour, more precisely animal social behaviour. Although, as the title rather implies, Wilson was more surveying and synthesising than developing new material, he com pensated by giving the most thorough and inclusive treatment possible, beginning in the animal world with the most simple of forms, and progressing via insects, lower invertebrates, mammals and primates, right up to and in cluding our own species, Homo sapiens. Initial reaction to the book was very favourable, but before the year was out it came under withering attack from a group of radical scientists in the Boston area, who styled themselves 'The Science for the People Sociobiology Study Group'. Criticism, of course, is what every academic gets (and needs ); but, for two reasons, this attack was particularly unpleasant. First, not only were Wilson's ideas attacked, but he himself was smeared by being linked with the most reactionary of political thinkers, including the Nazis."

whioh the developments are appropriate in an elementary text book is open to doubt. Fortunately the proceedings of the conference arranged by the Society of Actuaries Research Committee in September 1974 provide an effective review of the ourrent position (Credibility, Theory and Applications, Ed. P. M. Kahn, Academic Press, 1975). It is doubtful if any practical use is now made of the Esscher approximation and the N-P method is much more convenient and of adequate accuracy in most practical work. Thus the first half of Chapter 6 is now largely of historical interest. Chapter 11 dealing with ruin probability during a finite time interval does not give an adequate view of the current importanoe of this topic but the position is fluid because of the considerable effort being expended in the search for practical methods of calcu lation. Formulae are, in general, complicated and involve extensive computer based quadratures or simulation techniques. The paper by Seal in the Scandinavian Actuarial Journal (The Numerical Calculation of U(w, t) the Probability of Non-ruin in an Interval (O, t) 1974) gives a recent treatment and a fairly complete list of relevant references. In many countries studies are currently in progress in the develop ment of models for business planning where the basic operations involve a stochastic process. Not only are insurance companies interested but in many commercial and industrial firms the needs are significant so that a very large field exists for applications."

Mit dem vorliegenden dritten Band findet die vor zwei J ahren gegrtindete Reihe "Fortschritte der Arzneimittelforschung" ihre planmassige Fortsetzung. Wiederum ist versucht worden, zusammenfassend tiber einige Gebiete der Arz- neimittelforschung zu berichten, wobei diesmal organische Fluorverbindungen als Medikamente, Struktur und Wirkung bei verschiedenen Anthelmintica, 5-Hydroxy-tryptamin und verwandte Indolalkylamine, die pharmakologischen Aspekte der Allergie, krebswirksame Antibiotica aus Actinomyceten und neue- ste Arzneimittel behandelt werden. Der dritte Band hat an Umfang gegentiber den beiden vorhergehenden etwas abgenommen; dies geschah einerseits aus dem Wunsche heraus, sein Erscheinen zu beschleunigen und dem Leser die Referate so frUh wie moglichnach deren Nie- derschrift zuganglich zu machen, andererseits aus dem Bestreben, die einzelnen Bande nicht tiber Gebtihr anschwellen zu lassen. Als Neuerung enthalt der vor- liegende Band erstmals ein Sachverzeichnis. Der Herausgeber hoHt, damit dem zum Teil ausgesprochenen Wunsche zahlreicher Fachkollegen nachzukommen und die Brauchbarkeit der Reihe auch als Nachschlagwerk steigem zu konnen. Das Sachverzeichnis ftihrt deutsche, franzosische und englische Stichworter ge- meinsam auf; sein jetziger Aufbau solI als ein Versuch betrachtet werden, und der Herausgeber hofft auf Anregungen, Vorschlage und Kritik aus dem Leserkreise.

The book identifies the specific ethical aspects of sustainability and develops ethical tools to analyze them. It also provides a methodological framework to integrate ethical and scientific analyses of sustainability issues, and explores the notion of a new type of self-reflective inter- and transdisciplinary sustainability research. With this, the book aims to strengthen the overall ability of academics to contribute to the analysis and solution of sustainability issues in an inclusive and integrated way.

Ever since Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, we have generally become aware of environmental contaminants and their effects on the ecosystem. The findin~ of PCB's in fish by Soren Jensen in Sweden, the recognition of mirex as contaminant in fish from Lake Ontario, and the discoveries of contaminant laden leachates from dumpsites such as the Love Canal have become milestones in the search for and charac terization of contaminants in our environment. At this time, the problem no longer is so much the identifi cation of contaminants and their sources. Rather, we are now faced with solving questions on the fates and effects of such compounds. This includes the search for mechanisms to deal effectively with the large number of chemicals already found in water, air and biota. One of such time and cost saving scientific avenues is the field of quantitative structure-activity correlations for the prediction of the environmental behavior and effects of compounds.

"Optimal Control" reports on new theoretical and practical advances essential for analysing and synthesizing optimal controls of dynamical systems governed by partial and ordinary differential equations. New necessary and sufficient conditions for optimality are given. Recent advances in numerical methods are discussed. These have been achieved through new techniques for solving large-sized nonlinear programs with sparse Hessians, and through a combination of direct and indirect methods for solving the multipoint boundary value problem. The book also focuses on the construction of feedback controls for nonlinear systems and highlights advances in the theory of problems with uncertainty. Decomposition methods of nonlinear systems and new techniques for constructing feedback controls for state- and control constrained linear quadratic systems are presented. The book offers solutions to many complex practical optimal control problems.

It is said that behind every successful man there stands a devoted and capable woman. The three famous chemists Perkin, Kipping and their collaborator Lapworth married three sisters: Mina, Lily, and Kathleen Holland. The three Holland sisters kept their husbands in close and very productive collaboration throughout their lives, thereby greatly increasing their scientific output. They functioned as a productive scientific family. However, the life and work of the men is thoroughly documented, but little is known about their wives. Professor Eugene G. Rochow, a world-renowned scientist, wrote this biographical historical novel with the help of a grandson, Dr. Brian Kipping. Professor Rochow did not intend to write a bare-bones biography. He took care to make the book factually accurate. Wherever there are no facts, he has not hesitated to flesh out the account with imagination and actual experience of others in order to make the text more readable.

An innovative, student-friendly textbook covering the major elements of the field of Family Communication Family Communication, a rapidly growing sub-discipline within Communication Studies, explores the processes and factors involved in family interactions and relationships. Communication in Family Contexts is a clear and accessible survey of the essential principles, theories, and concepts of the field. Unlike textbooks that present a vast amount of material across only a few chapters--this innovative textbook features brief, easily-understood chapters ideally-suited for undergraduate courses on the subject. The text provides concise yet comprehensive coverage of a diverse range of topics, from fundamental aspects of caretaking and sibling communication, to topics not covered in other textbooks such as estrangement and marginalization. 33 chapters cover theories of family communication, family communication processes, and communicating in family relationships. The authors, noted researchers and educators in the field, complement discussions of standard topics with those of growing contemporary interest, such as LGBTQ family communication, step-family and half-sibling relationships, and the influence of technology on family. This textbook: Provides a well-rounded examination of the major elements of Family Communication studies Explains the foundational theories of the field, including Family Communication Patterns Theory and Relational Dialectics Theory Features numerous practical application exercises to enable students apply theory to practice Includes a complete set pedagogical features, such as case studies, visualizations and models of theories, illustrations, and discussion questions Offers a flexible organizational structure that allows instructors to pick and choose chapters to meet the needs of their courses Communication in Family Contexts: Theories and Processes is an important resource for instructors and students in the field of family communication, the wider discipline of Communication Studies, and related areas such as social psychology and sociology.

The rights of pregnant workers as well as (the lack of) paid maternity leave have increasingly become topics of a major policy debate in the United States. Yet, few discussions have focused on the U.S. military, where many of the latest policy changes focus on these very issues. Despite the armed forces' increases to maternity-related benefits, servicewomen continue to be stigmatized for being pregnant and taking advantage of maternity policies. In an effort to understand this disconnect, Megan McFarlane analyzes military documents and conducts interviews with enlisted servicewomen and female officers. She finds a policy/culture disparity within the military that pregnant servicewomen themselves often co-construct, making the policy changes significantly less effective. McFarlane ends by offering suggestions for how these policy changes can have more impact and how they could potentially serve as an example for the broader societal debate.

The present scientific and technical revolution has brought science into the range of the most effective forces of production. The formula "science= production force" applies also to the social sciences whose explorations of human relationships and drives have reached previously unsuspected depths. Objectives, such as higher living standards and full employment, economic growth and stability, social equity and security, have both called for and provided a basis for the exploitation of possibilities offered by the natural and technical sciences. In today's agriculture, age-old traditions are in the process of disintegra tion, but the heredity of a century (or that of even a millennium as in Hungary) does not get dissolved without defending itself. Technical progress and social restratification, the emergence of new scales of values and preferences, the adjustment of the rural communities to their new tasks and conditions - all these have transformed farm operations and farming techniques. But agriculture, even under its revolutionized surface, still hides deep, almost untouched layers. If economists and agriculturalists are perplexed by the multitude and variety of the visible farm problems, there exist many others about which they can only guess, which they must follow up. In formulating and solving these problems, agricultural economists have professional tasks: (1) facilitating the most efficient use of agricultural resources from the standpoint of the national economy, and (2) helping farmers and farm people to attain their stated, socially feasible objectives."

ROBERT J. LEFKOWITZ, M. D. Receptor Regulation (Receptors and Recognition, Series B, Volume 13) Edited by R. J. Lefkowitz Published in 1981 by Chapman and Hall, 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE (c) 1981 Chapman and Hall The study of hormone and drug receptors has become one of the most excit ing and rapidly moving areas of biomedical research. Elucidation of receptor mechanisms and receptor structure has become the common goal of many scientists from diverse backgrounds. The rapid advances achieved have been due, in large part, to the concentrated effort of workers from a variety of disciplines including classical pharmacology, biochemistry, endocrinology, cell biology, genetics' and molecular biology, among others. Hormone and drug receptors appear to be of three major types, which may be classified by their cellular locations. Found in the plasma membranes of cells are the receptors for a wide variety of polypeptide hormones, catecholamines and a variety of neurotransmitters. Included within this group are those receptors coupled to the enzyme adenylate cyclase. The second group of receptors are the soluble cytoplasmic receptors for the steroid hormones. A third type of hormone receptor is the receptor for the thyroid hormones which appears to be confined to the nucleus. Not only may these different types of receptor be distinguished in terms of their cellular locations but also by their mechanisms of action."