Soaring Gothic cathedrals, violent crusades, the Black Death: these are the dramatic forces that shaped the medieval era. But the so-called Dark Ages also gave us the first universities, eyeglasses, and mechanical clocks. As medieval thinkers sought to understand the world around them, from the passing of the seasons to the stars in the sky, they came to develop a vibrant scientific culture. In The Light Ages, Cambridge science historian Seb Falk takes us on a tour of medieval science through the eyes of one fourteenth-century monk, John of Westwyk. Born in a rural manor, educated in England's grandest monastery, and then exiled to a clifftop priory, Westwyk was an intrepid crusader, inventor, and astrologer. From multiplying Roman numerals to navigating by the stars, curing disease, and telling time with an ancient astrolabe, we learn emerging science alongside Westwyk and travel with him through the length and breadth of England and beyond its shores. On our way, we encounter a remarkable cast of characters: the clock-building English abbot with leprosy, the French craftsman-turned-spy, and the Persian polymath who founded the world's most advanced observatory. The Light Ages offers a gripping story of the struggles and successes of an ordinary man in a precarious world and conjures a vivid picture of medieval life as we have never seen it before. An enlightening history that argues that these times weren't so dark after all, The Light Ages shows how medieval ideas continue to color how we see the world today.

This manual is designed as an intensive introduction to the various tools of molecular biology. It introduces all the basic methods of molecular biology including cloning, PCR, Southern (DNA) blotting, Northern (RNA) blotting, Western blotting, DNA sequencing, oligo-directed mutagenesis, and protein expression.
Key Features
* Provides well-tested experimental protocols for each technique
* Lists the reagents and preparation of each experiment separately
* Contains a complete schedule of experiments and the preparation required
* Includes study questions at the end of each chapter

Books of Related Interest From Van Nostrand Reinhold Carcinogenically Active Chemicals A Reference Guide By Richard J. Lewis, Sr., 1088 pages, 7 x 10, ISBN 0-442-31875-8 More than 3400 chemicals verified or suspected as carcinogens are listed in this massive sourcebook. Data on each chemical are drawn from leading cancer research and regulatory agencies, and based on animal experiments, human case histories, or conclusions of expert review groups. Each entry contains experimental data relating to the carcinogenicity or mutagenicity of the entry with literature citations, and includes the conclusions of IARC, OSHA, ACGIH, DFG MAK, and NIOSH. Indexes are provided on human tumor sites, synonyms, CAS numbers, and a complete reference list is included. Hazardous Chemicals Desk Reference Second Edition By Richard J. Lewis, Sr., 1100 pages, 7 x 10, ISBN 0-442-00497-4 This complete update and revision of the renowned First Edition provides immediate access to vital information on approximately 5000 hazardous chemicals and compounds commonly used in industry, manufacturing, laboratories, and the workplace. Entries feature a concise review of toxicity and other hazards, including a helpful 1-to-3 hazard rating, important reference information such as chemical synonyms and CAS, NIOSH, and DOT number identifiers, standards for exposure limits, and general physical properties. The toxic and hazard review paragraph for each entry offers a detailed analysis of poisonous, irritant, corrosive, explosive, and carcinogenic properties. The entries provide a reliable guide to a full spectrum of short term and chronic human health effects associated with improper handling and exposure to these chemicals. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials Seventh Edition By N. Irving Sax and Richard J. Lewis, Sr., 4283 pages, 3 volumes, 8 1/2 x 11, ISBN 0-442-28020-3 This classic reference has been thoroughly revised and updated. It now provides more than 20,000 chemical entries, as compared to 18,000 entries offered in the Sixth Edition. Every entry has been reviewed and brought up-to-date, with physical properties checked, clinical data reviewed, synonyms added, and cross-references to the latest issues of Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials Report included. Exposure standards have also been revised and expanded to include OSHA PELS, ACGIH Threshold Limit Values, Short- Term Exposure Limits, Biological Exposure Indices, and Maximum Allowable Concentrations (from the German Research Institute). Food Additives Handbook By Richard J. Lewis, Sr., 600 pages, 6 7/8 x 10, ISBN 0-442-20508-2 More than 1350 food additives, including direct and indirect additives, packaging materials, and pesticide residue, are covered in this handbook. Wide-ranging information on each additive includes physical properties, generic use, foods where used, hazards to the consumer and worker who handles large quantities and usage regulations. Key data are provided on unintentional additionals. Safety and nutritional issues relevant to add are discussed. Two sets of cross indexes speed up access.

Effective science communication is no easy task. While the effective conveyance of technical knowledge presents formidable roadblocks to sharing scientific knowledge and discoveries, certain communication tools like video and film production help to bridge this gap. This user's manual provides a complete set of easy-to-follow directions for video-making as well as tricks of the trade to leverage these skills to better inform the intended audience.

How One Man Invented a Color That Changed the World

"Garfield's engaging story of William Perkin's accidental discovery is an informative mix of science, history, and biography."—Boston Herald

In 1856 eighteen-year-old English chemist William Perkin accidentally discovered a way to mass-produce color. In a "witty, erudite, and entertaining" (Esquire) style, Simon Garfield explains how the experimental mishap that produced an odd shade of purple revolutionized fashion, as well as industrial applications of chemistry research. Occasionally honored in certain colleges and chemistry clubs, Perkin until now has been a forgotten man. 8 pages of color illustrations.

"By bringing Perkin into the open and documenting his life and work, Garfield has done a service to history."—Chicago Tribune

"[A]n inviting cocktail of Perkin biography, account of the dye industry and where it led, and social and cultural history up to the present."—American Scientist

"Garfield leaps gracefully back and forth in time, as comfortable in the Victorian past as he is in the brave new world of petrochemicals and biochemistry."—Kirkus Reviews starred review.

"[T]he delight of this book is seeing parallels to present-day trends."—"New York Times Book Review

Over the past decade, advances in the field of close-range photogrammetry have been rapid and the era of digital photogrammetry is well on its way. This book provides a complete account of the subject with contributions from international experts.;The methodology, algorithms, techniques and equipment necessary to achieve real-time digital photogrammetric solutions are presented, together with contemporary aspects of close-range photogrammetry. Advances in the theory are presented as are a range of important applications of photogrammetry which illustrate the flexibility and comprehensive nature of these techniques of three-dimensional measurement.

The definitive guide to the principles and practice of experimental organic chemistry - fully updated and now featuring more than 100 experiments The latest edition of this popular guide to experimental organic chemistry takes students from their first day in the laboratory right through to complex research procedures. All sections have been updated to reflect new techniques, equipment and technologies, and the text has been revised with an even sharper focus on practical skills and procedures. The first half of the book is devoted to safe laboratory practice as well as purification and analytical techniques; particularly spectroscopic analysis. The second half contains step-by-step experimental procedures, each one illustrating a basic principle, or important reaction type. Tried and tested over almost three decades, over 100 validated experiments are graded according to their complexity and all are chosen to highlight important chemical transformations and to teach key experimental skills. New sections cover updated health and safety guidelines, additional spectroscopic techniques, electronic notebooks and record keeping, and techniques, such as semi-automated chromatography and enabling technologies such as the use of microwave and flow chemistry. New experiments include transition metal-catalysed cross-coupling, organocatalysis, asymmetric synthesis, flow chemistry, and microwave-assisted synthesis. Key aspects of this third edition include: * Detailed descriptions of the correct use of common apparatus used in the organic laboratory * Outlines of practical skills that all chemistry students must learn * Highlights of aspects of health and safety in the laboratory, both in the first section and throughout the experimental procedures * Four new sections reflecting advances in techniques and technologies, from electronic databases and information retrieval to semi-automated chromatography * More than 100 validated experiments of graded complexity from introductory to research level * A user-friendly experiment directory * An instructor manual and PowerPoint slides of the figures in the book available on a companion website A comprehensive guide to contemporary organic chemistry laboratory principles, procedures, protocols, tools and techniques, Experimental Organic Chemistry, Third Edition is both an essential laboratory textbook for students of chemistry at all levels, and a handy bench reference for experienced chemists.

We cannot imagine a world without plastics. Plastic products make our daily life safe, healthy and convenient. Besides all the benefits, the current plastics economy gives rise to environmental concerns with respect to fossil oil depletion and plastic waste accumulation. In a circular economy, however, plastics can be redesigned for reusability and recyclability. This book makes the topic of sustainable plastics approachable for students and career starters alike, describing the nature and chemistry of (bio)polymers as well as how to create a closed loop of plastic materials.

Written for animal researchers, this book provides a comprehensive guide to the design and statistical analysis of animal experiments. It has long been recognised that the proper implementation of these techniques helps reduce the number of animals needed. By using real-life examples to make them more accessible, this book explains the statistical tools employed by practitioners. A wide range of design types are considered, including block, factorial, nested, cross-over, dose-escalation and repeated measures and techniques are introduced to analyse the experimental data generated. Each analysis technique is described in non-mathematical terms, helping readers without a statistical background to understand key techniques such as t-tests, ANOVA, repeated measures, analysis of covariance, multiple comparison tests, non-parametric and survival analysis. This is also the first text to describe technical aspects of InVivoStat, a powerful open-source software package developed by the authors to enable animal researchers to analyse their data and obtain informative results.

Data Processing Handbook for Complex Biological Data provides relevant and to the point content for those who need to understand the different types of biological data and the techniques to process and interpret them. The book includes feedback the editor received from students studying at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and from her peers. In order to succeed in data processing for biological data sources, it is necessary to master the type of data and general methods and tools for modern data processing. For instance, many labs follow the path of interdisciplinary studies and get their data validated by several methods. Researchers at those labs may not perform all the techniques themselves, but either in collaboration or through outsourcing, they make use of a range of them, because, in the absence of cross validation using different techniques, the chances for acceptance of an article for publication in high profile journals is weakened.

Data Fitting in the Chemical Sciences Peter Gans, School of Chemistry, The University of Leeds, Leeds, UK Data fitting is a technique of central importance in modern experimental science. It is the means by which data is tested against a model of the experimental system, be it a theoretical or empirical model. In this book an all-round approach is adopted in which the first stage of data-fitting is seen as data collection, the second is numerical processing and the third a critical evaluation of the 'goodness' of fit in both statistical and common sense terms. Each stage is considered in detail: the sources and nature of experimental errors; the theory of least-squares fitting; probability theory; hypothesis testing, and the application of scientific criteria. The theory is complemented by three chapters on a wide range of applications. The emphasis of this book is on methodology: why certain procedures are preferred rather than how any one procedure is implemented. The author aims to assist people in extracting from their data its full information content, i.e. to use their data, not abuse it.

Specifically intended for lab-based biomedical researchers, this practical guide shows how to design experiments that are reproducible, with low bias, high precision, and widely applicable results. With specific examples from research using both cell cultures and model organisms, it explores key ideas in experimental design, assesses common designs, and shows how to plan a successful experiment. It demonstrates how to control biological and technical factors that can introduce bias or add noise, and covers rarely discussed topics such as graphical data exploration, choosing outcome variables, data quality control checks, and data pre-processing. It also shows how to use R for analysis, and is designed for those with no prior experience. An accompanying website (https://stanlazic.github.io/EDLB.html) includes all R code, data sets, and the labstats R package. This is an ideal guide for anyone conducting lab-based biological research, from students to principle investigators working in either academia or industry.

Author of the best-selling book "The Elements" Theodore Gray demonstrates essential scientific principles through thrilling daredevil experiments.
"What a magnificent book. It's gorgeous, playful, and draws you in." Adam Savage, cohost of "Mythbusters"
"Theodore Gray has attained a level of near superhuman geekery that the rest of us can only mutely admire." Cecil Adams, ""The" "Straight Dope""
"Gray's encyclopedic knowledge and contagious enthusiasm transport us to deep intellectual realms while never sacrificing a sense of wonder and, above all, fun." Oliver Sacks, author of "Awakenings," "Musicophilia," and "Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a Chemical Boyhood"
In "Mad Science," Theodore Gray launches a toy rocket using the energy released from an Oreo cookie, ignites a phosphorus sun by suspending half a gram of white phosphorus in a globe filled with pure oxygen and creates a homemade hot tub by adding 500 pounds of quicklime to water. These are just a few of the 54 experiments included in this astonishing book that demonstrates essential scientific principles in ways you were likely never exposed to in school.
Every experiment in "Mad Science" is accompanied by full-color photographs that provide a front-row seat to rarely seen chemical reactions and glorious subatomic activity. To further enhance the hands-on experience, Gray includes step-by-step instructions for nearly every experiment. Following all of the safety guidelines, readers can even re-create some of the experiments in the book.
"Mad Science" is the perfect book for anyone fascinated by all things chemical, electrical, or explosive, and who loves a vicarious thrill.

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This market-leading manual for the first-year physics laboratory course offers a wide range of class-tested experiments designed specifically for use in small to mid-size lab programs. A series of integrated experiments emphasizes the use of computerized instrumentation and includes a set of "computer-assisted experiments" that allow you to gain experience with modern equipment. By analyzing data through two different methods, learners gain a greater understanding of the concepts behind the experiments. The Eighth Edition is updated with four new economical labs and thirty new Pre-Lab Demonstrations, designed to capture interest prior to the lab and requiring only widely available materials and items.

Maximize your skills and understanding with EXPERIMENTS IN GENERAL CHEMISTRY: INQUIRY AND SKILL BUILDING, Third Edition. The manual's 31 experiments include Skill Building, Guided Inquiry, and Open Inquiry experiments to provide maximum lab experience in the minimum amount of lab time. Each experiment includes prelab questions to help you prepare for the lab ahead of time and post-lab questions that lead you from data analysis to concept development to reinforce the core concepts of the lab.

If you're taking a basic course in classical physics, or have a healthy curiosity for the way things work in the physical world, the Illustrated Guide to Home Physics Experiments provides an ideal hands-on introduction to physics lab techniques and data analysis. With this book and a few simple (and inexpensive) tools and materials, you'll learn to conduct experiments that answer questions about our world, make demonstrations to show off physical principles, and do theoretical lab work to discover how the world works. Perfect for do-it-yourselfers, home-schooled high school students, and college students, this book will help you: Learn everything from the basics of motion all the way to particle physics - including energy, thermodynamics, magnetic fields, optics, and much more Take careful measurements of physical phenomena and conduct data analysis Build and perform physics demonstrations that are fascinating and fun Construct computer models to represent aspects of the physical world It's easy to get started. You can build most of the experiments and demonstrations in this book with ordinary household tools, using materials that you can scrounge, borrow, or get free. The most important thing is your willingness to enter the door of discovery that awaits you. The Illustrated Guide to Home Physics Experiments is your key.

Electron Magnetic Resonance: Applications in Physical Sciences and Biology, Volume 50, describes the principles and recent trends in different experimental methods of Electron Magnetic Resonance (EMR) spectroscopy. In addition to principles, experimental methods and applications, each chapter contains a complete list of references that guide the reader to relevant literature. The book is intended for both skilled and novice researchers in academia, professional fields, scientists and students without any geographical limitations. It is useful for both beginners and experts in the field of Electron Spin Resonance who are looking for recent experimental methods of EMR techniques.

In addition to the issues constituting the basis of microbial biotechnology, such as microorganisms culturing or their use in industry and environmental protection, the book includes modern analytical techniques known as "omics", as well as digital techniques used to record adverse changes in the environment those resulting from the harmful activity of bacteria and fungi. A color atlas (Chapter 8) with photos of the fungi discussed in each chapter was also included. The book was prepared with the use of many years of scientific and didactic experience of the authors who conduct classes in various fields and specializations of natural sciences. This resulted in the interdisciplinary nature of the publication. It will be useful not only for PhD students and students of biotechnology and microbiology, but also environmental protection, ecological biotechnology, urban revitalization, as well as all those interested in applying the latest achievements of these areas of science in practice.

Statistical methods are essential tools for analysts, particularly those working in Quality Control Laboratories. This book provides a sound introduction to their use in analytical chemistry, without requiring a strong mathematical background. It emphasises simple graphical methods of data analysis, such as control charts, which are a key tool in Internal Laboratory Quality Control and which are also a fundamental requirement in laboratory accreditation. A large part of the book is concerned with the design and analysis of laboratory experiments, including sample size determination. Practical case studies and many real datasets, from both QC laboratories and the research literature, are used to illustrate the ideas in action. The aim of Statistics for the Quality Control Chemistry Laboratory is to give the reader a strong grasp of the concept of statistical variation in laboratory data and of the value of simple statistical ideas and methods in thinking about and manipulating such data. It will be invaluable to analysts working in QC laboratories in industry, hospitals and public health, and will also be welcomed as a textbook for aspiring analysts in colleges and universities.

Featuring new experiments, a new essay, and new coverage of nanotechnology, this organic chemistry laboratory textbook offers a comprehensive treatment of laboratory techniques including small scale and some microscale methods that use standard-scale ("macroscale") glassware and equipment. The book is organized based on essays and topics of current interest and covers a large number of traditional organic reactions and syntheses, as well as experiments with a biological or health science focus. Seven introductory technique-based experiments, thirteen project-based experiments, and sections on green chemistry and biofuels spark students' interest and engage them in the learning process. Instructors may choose to offer Cengage Learning's optional Premium Website, which contains videos on basic organic laboratory techniques.

All you need to explore science is a kitchen, this book - and a dash of curiosity The Kitchen Science Cookbook is a beautifully crafted book with a unique twist: each recipe is a science experiment that you can do at home, using the everyday ingredients you'll find in your kitchen. No need to be a science expert -- these easy-to-follow recipes make mind-blowing science experiments fun for everyone. From sticky ice and raising raisins to balloon science and scrumptious slime, nanotechnologist and educator Michelle Dickinson shows that we can all be scientists, no matter how young or old. With recipes tested by hundreds of enthusiastic families around the world, The Kitchen Science Cookbook is the perfect gift for all ages.