Human consciousness has perplexed philosophers, artists and scientists for centuries. Some hold it to be purely physical, while others believe it transcends the material world. Now comes a book that offers a new perspective - based entirely on evidence from the natural sciences - whereby materialism and dualism co-exist. The author - a distinguished pioneer of nonlinear dynamics - bases his argument on a hierarchical view of mental organization; a stairway. Atoms give rise to molecules, neurons form the brain and individual consciousness leads to shared culture. All steps are needed to complete the picture and each level derives from the previous one. The book shows specialists how each of their fields adds to the overall picture, while providing general readers with an introduction to this investigation.

This second edition of Nonlinear Science covers new theoretical concepts and empirical results in molecular dynamics, solid-state physics, neuroscience, fluid dynamics, and biophysics. With over 350 problems, including hints and solutions, this is an invaluable resource for graduate students and researchers in the applied sciences.

Comprising 440 essays arranged alphabetically in one large volume, this work provides a useful overview of core mathematical background, and applications of nonlinear science to key problems in ecology and biological systems, chemical reaction-diffusion problems, geophysics, economics, electrical and mechanical oscillations in engineering systems, lasers and nonlinear optics, fluid mechanics and turbulence, and condensed matter physics, among others. The Encyclopedia is an essential primary source from which to learn about unfamiliar topics, a useful reference for students and new researchers, and for established nonlinear scientists interested applying methods outside their own specialized areas. Advisory Board: Friedrich H. Busse, Theoretical Physics, Universitat Bayreuth, Germany Antonio Degasperis, Dipartimento di Fisica, Universita degli Studi di Roma 'La Sapienza', Italy William

In 438 alphabetically-arranged essays, this work provides a useful overview of the core mathematical background for nonlinear science, as well as its applications to key problems in ecology and biological systems, chemical reaction-diffusion problems, geophysics, economics, electrical and mechanical oscillations in engineering systems, lasers and nonlinear optics, fluid mechanics and turbulence, and condensed matter physics, among others.

The ECG is one of the most widely available diagnostic tests used in clinical practice today. This book is intended to build upon the topics covered in Starting to Read ECGs: The Basics thus allowing the reader to enhance their previous knowledge. Additional topics covered include a detailed look at calculating cardiac axis, an area often considered difficult to grasp, and alternative methods such as the various ways the heart rate can be calculated, the different criteria for determining LVH. Technical details about specific cardiac conditions, how to interpret pediatric ECGs, and the effect of medical devices on the ECG will also be discussed. Plentiful diagrams, tables and colour images used throughout to illustrate complex points in a simple and easy to understand way. The key facts section at the end of each chapter highlights the most important information and summary tables are provided to allow the book to be used as a quick reference guide. Each chapter will contain a mind map for revision and to aid dyslexic learners, practice questions and a few practice ECGs to consolidate the readers knowledge.The book tells the practitioner what they need to know clinically and doesn't assume any prior knowledge. It is ideal for junior doctors and clinicians, nurses, paramedics, students and health care professionals involved in the recording of 12-lead ECGs.

Human consciousness has perplexed philosophers, artists and scientists for centuries. Some hold it to be purely physical, while others believe it transcends the material world. Now comes a book that offers a new perspective - based entirely on evidence from the natural sciences - whereby materialism and dualism co-exist. The author - a distinguished pioneer of nonlinear dynamics - bases his argument on a hierarchical view of mental organization; a stairway. Atoms give rise to molecules, neurons form the brain and individual consciousness leads to shared culture. All steps are needed to complete the picture and each level derives from the previous one. The book shows specialists how each of their fields adds to the overall picture, while providing general readers with an introduction to this investigation.

This is an introductory text of mathematical neuroscience intended for anyone who wants to appreciate the role that mathematics and mathematical modeling and analysis can do to aid an understanding of how the brain works and the nature of the mind. In particular, the book will be of interest to established neuroscientists and neuroscience students who wish to know what roles mathematical formulations can play in attempting to comprehend the dynamics of a human brain. It is expected that this text will be interesting for mathematics faculty teaching in neuroscience programs. It also aims to serve as a general introduction to neuromathematics in neuroscience programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Physical scientists and bioengineers who plan to extend their research activities into the realms of cognitive science will find this an ideal guide, as will philosophers and social scientists who wish to understand the degree to which dynamics of a brain can be reduced to mathematical formulations. Mathematical formulations in neuroscience are of five sorts: (i) Exact descriptions of well understood dynamic processes, like the Hodgkin-- Huxley theory of the nerve impulse. (ii) Metaphorical descriptions of more complex phenomena, like the stationary states of a Hopfield model. (iii) Information theory for dealing with the storage and transmission of data. (iv) Logical calculus (Boolean algebra) for the analysis of information processing systems. (v) Number theory for counting large numbers of possibilities. (vi) Statistical tools for organizing and evaluating data.