The untold story of a stunning discovery: not only can birds smell, but their scents may be the secret to understanding their world. The puzzling lack of evidence for the peculiar but widespread belief that birds have no sense of smell irked evolutionary biologist Danielle Whittaker. Exploring the science behind the myth led her on an unexpected quest investigating mysteries from how juncos win a fight to why cowbirds smell like cookies. In The Secret Perfume of Birds-part science, part intellectual history, and part memoir-Whittaker blends humor, clear writing, and a compelling narrative to describe how scent is important not just for birds but for all animals, including humans. Whittaker engagingly describes how emerging research has uncovered birds' ability to produce complex chemical signals that influence their behavior, including where they build nests, when they pick a fight, and why they fly away. Mate choice, or sexual selection-a still enigmatic aspect of many animals' lives-appears to be particularly influenced by smell. Whittaker's pioneering studies suggest that birds' sexy (and scary) signals are produced by symbiotic bacteria that manufacture scents in the oil that birds stroke on their feathers when preening. From tangerine-scented auklets to her beloved juncos, redolent of moss, birds from across the world feature in Whittaker's stories, but she also examines the smelly chemicals of all kinds of creatures, from iguanas and bees to monkeys and humans. Readers will enjoy a rare opportunity to witness the twisting roads scientific research can take, especially the challenging, hilarious, and occasionally dangerous realities of ornithology in the wild. The Secret Perfume of Birds will interest anyone looking to learn more about birds, about how animals and humans use our senses, and about why it can sometimes take a rebel scientist to change what we think we know for sure about the world-and ourselves.

William Blake and the Myths of Britain is the first full-length study of Blake's use of British mythology and history. From Atlantis to the Deists of the Napoleonic Wars, this book addresses why the eighteenth century saw a revival of interest in the legends of the British Isles and how Blake applied these in his extraordinary prophetic histories of the giant Albion, revitalising myths of the Druids and Joseph of Arimathea bringing Christ to Albion.

Two and a half centuries after his birth, Blake's influence on later generations of writers and artists is more important than ever, extending into film, psychology, children's literature, and graphic novels as well as poetry, painting, and fiction. "Blake, Modernity, and Popular Culture" explores the ways in which Blake reacted to the subcultures of his day, as well as how he has inspired popular, modernist and postmodernist figures until the present day.

William Blake has maintained an enduring popularity amongst a large and diverse audience as a poet, artist and engraver. There are probably more artists, writers, filmmakers and composers working under the influence of Blake than any other figure from the Romantic era.Radical Blake traces his influence and afterlife across a range of major themes such as Metropolitan Blake, Blake and Nationalism, and Blake and Women.

The Terrorism Reader is an intriguing introduction to a notorious and disturbing international phenomenon. The book draws together material from a variety of experts and clearly explains their opinions on terrorism, allowing understanding, conjecture and debate. David J. Whittaker explores all aspects of terrorism from its definition, psychological and sociological effects, legal and ethical issues to counter-terrorism. In a particularly original way, the Reader illustrates the growth and variety of terrorism with a series of case studies from four continents including: the Taliban and the al-Qaida terror network, and America's war against terrorism ETA and Spain the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia the Liberation Tigers in Sri Lanka the IRA and UFF in Northern Ireland the Shining Path in Peru. This new edition includes fully updated chapters on Palestine and Israel, the London 7/7 bombings and a a new chapter on Jihad, as well as a focus on issues of contemporary concern such as state terrorism, terrorist withdrawal and deradicalisation, and human rights.

This edited research monograph brings together contributions from computer scientists, biologists, and engineers who are engaged with the study of evolution and how it may be applied to solve real-world problems. It also serves as a Festschrift dedicated to Erik D. Goodman, the founding director of the BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, a pioneering NSF Science and Technology Center headquartered at Michigan State University. The contributing authors are leading experts associated with the center, and they serve in top research and industrial establishments across the US and worldwide. Part I summarizes the history of the BEACON Center, with refreshingly personal chapters that describe Erik's working and leadership style, and others that discuss the development and successes of the center in the context of research funding, projects, and careers. The chapters in Part II deal with the evolution of genomes and evolvability. The contributions in Part III discuss the evolution of behavior and intelligence. Those in Part IV concentrate on the evolution of communities and collective dynamics. The chapters in Part V discuss selected evolutionary computing applications in domains such as arts and science, automated program repair, cybersecurity, mechatronics, and genomic prediction. Part VI deals with evolution in the classroom, using creativity in research, and responsible conduct in research training. The book concludes with a special chapter from Erik Goodman, a short biography that concentrates on his personal positive influences and experiences throughout his long career in academia and industry.

Fifty years after the creation of the United Nations, there exists a vigorous debate as to its limitations and possibilities. In United Nations in the Contemporary World, David J. Whittaker examines how the UN works and assesses its position as a world organisation. The author explores the nature of the UN as a regime in contemporary international relations. He considers the changing terms of reference of the UN and includes discussion of: * UN organisational procedures and principles; * recent historical case studies, including studies on peacekeeping * the role of the UN in global urbanisation, arms control and in supplying aid for refugees * past and future internal reform, goals, achievements With an annotated bibliography and a helpful glossary United Nations in the Contemporary World provides an interdisciplinary history of the UN and debates the key issues for its future. David J Whittaker gives a cogent analysis of how the UN addresses today's world problems and how it can adapt for the future.

The Terrorism Reader is an intriguing introduction to a notorious and disturbing international phenomenon. The book draws together material from a variety of experts and clearly explains their opinions on terrorism, allowing understanding, conjecture and debate. David J. Whittaker explores all aspects of terrorism from its definition, psychological and sociological effects, legal and ethical issues to counter-terrorism. In a particularly original way, the Reader illustrates the growth and variety of terrorism with a series of case studies from four continents including: the Taliban and the al-Qaida terror network, and America's war against terrorism ETA and Spain the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia the Liberation Tigers in Sri Lanka the IRA and UFF in Northern Ireland the Shining Path in Peru. This new edition includes fully updated chapters on Palestine and Israel, the London 7/7 bombings and a a new chapter on Jihad, as well as a focus on issues of contemporary concern such as state terrorism, terrorist withdrawal and deradicalisation, and human rights.

The issue of asylum seekers and refugees is one of the most talked about subjects in contemporary politics, fueled by extensive coverage in the media. David J. Whittaker's book provides a balanced introduction to this very controversial subject.
"Asylum Seekers" "and Refugees in the Contemporary World "discusses the international as well as national implications of the issue, looking at the way different governments have dealt with it. Taking a number of case studies, for example Palestinian, Afghan and Iraqi refugees, Whittaker cuts through the emotive language to give an objective introduction to the subject. The book looks in detail at the issue as it has affected Britain and Europe in particular, as well as including material on the UN and its response to the refugee "problem."
Including a final statement on the British government's 2005 proposals for dealing with refugees, "Asylum Seekers and Refugees in the Contemporary World "is essential reading for all students of the history of the modern world and is ideal for newcomers to the subject.

Fueled by extensive coverage in the media, the issue of asylum seekers and refugees is one of the most talked about subjects in contemporary politics. David J Whittaker's book provides a balanced introduction to this very controversial subject. Asylum Seekers and Refugees in the Contemporary World discusses the international as well as national implications of the issue, looking at the way different governments have dealt with it. Taking a number of case studies, for example Palestinian, Afghan and Iraqi refugees, Whittaker cuts through the emotive language to give an objective introduction to the subject. The book looks in detail at the issue as it has affected Britain and Europe in particular, as well as including material on the UN and its response to the refugee 'problem'. Including a final statement on the British government's 2005 proposals for dealing with refugees, Asylum Seekers and Refugees in the Contemporary World is essential reading for all students of the history of the modern world and is ideal for newcomers to the subject.

A concise and accessible survey of this topical and complex subject, this is the first book of its type to focus on the terrorists, and their psychology, in an historical context. Focusing on a variety of prominent terrorist groups together with a number of less notorious ones, the book encourages readers to think about the mindset, motivation and tactics of terrorists. David J. Whittaker analyzes examples of terrorists working as individuals, such as Timothy McVeigh, and those working in groups, such as Al-Qaida, over the last two or three decades. He goes on to discuss the problems of countering these terrorists and the possible forms terrorism could take in the future. Fascinating reading, this book will prove extremely informative to any student or researcher of this complex modern-day issue.

A concise and accessible survey of this topical and complex subject, this is the first book of its type to focus on the terrorists, and their psychology, in an historical context.

Focusing on a variety of prominent terrorist groups together with a number of less notorious ones, the book encourages readers to think about the mindset, motivation and tactics of terrorists. David J. Whittaker analyzes examples of terrorists working as individuals, such as Timothy McVeigh, and those working in groups, such as Al-Qaida, over the last two or three decades. He goes on to discuss the problems of countering these terrorists and the possible forms terrorism could take in the future.

Fascinating reading, this book will prove extremely informative to any student or researcher of this complex modern-day issue.

Island biogeography is the study of the distribution and dynamics of species in island environments. Due to their isolation from more widespread continental species, islands are ideal places for unique species to evolve, but they are also places of concentrated extinction. Consequently, they are widely studied by ecologists, evolutionary biologists, and conservationists. This accessible textbook builds on the success and reputation of its predecessors, documenting the recent advances in this exciting field and explaining how islands have contributed to both theory development and testing. In addition, the book describes the main processes of island formation, subsequent dynamics, and eventual demise, explaining the relevance of island environmental history to island biogeography. The authors demonstrate the significance of islands as hotspots of biodiversity and of prehistoric and historic anthropogenic extinction. Since island species continue to feature disproportionally in the lists of threatened species today, the book examines both the chief threats to their persistence and some of the mitigation measures that can be put in play, with conservation strategies specifically tailored to islands.

Series Information:
The Making of the Contemporary World

eBook available with sample pages: HB:041518326X

Graphical models----a subset of log--linear models----reveal the interrelationships between multiple variables and features of the underlying conditional independence. Following the theorem--proof--remarks format, this introduction to the use of graphical models in the description and modeling of multivariate systems covers conditional independence, several types of independence graphs, Gaussian models, issues in model selection, regression and decomposition. Many numerical examples and exercises with solutions are included.

This text is an examination of the role of the UN in the major political crises of the postwar world - from Korea to the Gulf War and Yugoslavia. It is intended for use as a textbook for undergraduate courses in international relations and international and diplomatic history, post-1945 world history and special and optional courses on the United Nations.

The ever-present threat of terrorism and the growing human-rights backlash against anti-terrorist policies are becoming ever more significant on the international stage. Constant media-coverage and public concern have characterised the debate over the last ten years.This book is a fair and objective assessment of counter-terrorist policy and human rights worldwide, and covers a wide breadth of international material. While raising key questions for reader consideration, this book aims for straight-forward consideration, leaving polemic to the reader.

Originating in Finland in eighteen-sixty-five, Educational Sloyd used handicrafts practised in schools to promote educational completeness through the interdependence of the mind and body. These radical ideas spread throughout Europe and America and had a significant impact on the early development of manual training, manual arts, industrial education and technical education. Today it is generally acknowledged that Educational Sloyd laid the foundations of modern technological education. This book traces the development of Sloyd from its conception by Uno Cygnaeus and the first Sloyd school founded by Otto Salomon, to its enthusiastic take up in Scandinavia and beyond. It examines the debates and controversy which surround the Sloyd system, and considers the transition from 'hands-on' craft work to concepts of technology education. Finally, the investigation reveals the lasting legacy of the ideas and practice of Sloyd education, and how it continues to influence technological education. Included in the book: - the foundations of Educational Sloyd - debates, controversy and rival factions - key case studies in Finland and Iceland - the lasting legacy of Sloyd education. This fascinating and comprehensive historical exploration will be of interest to scholars and researchers in the areas of technology education, comparative education and the history of education.

This book explores the ways in which Blake reacted to the subcultures of his day, as well as how he has inspired popular, modernist and postmodernist figures until the present day. Blake's influence on later generations of writers and artists is more important than ever, extending into film, psychology, children's literature and graphic novels.

The species-area relationship (SAR) describes a range of related phenomena that are fundamental to the study of biogeography, macroecology and community ecology. While the subject of ongoing debate for a century, surprisingly, no previous book has focused specifically on the SAR. This volume addresses this shortfall by providing a synthesis of the development of SAR typologies and theory, as well as empirical research and application to biodiversity conservation problems. It also includes a compilation of recent advances in SAR research, comprising novel SAR-related theories and findings from the leading authors in the field. The chapters feature specific knowledge relating to terrestrial, marine and freshwater realms, ensuring a comprehensive volume relevant to a wide range of fields, with a mix of review and novel material and with clear recommendations for further research and application.

The United Nations was intended to be a powerful actor in the contemporary world. Fifty years after its creation, there exists a vigorous debate as to its limitations and possibilities. David J. Whittaker offers a concise critical analysis of the UN as a world organization and considers how it works, if its member states fail and what reforms are desireable and feasible. The text explores the nature of the UN as a "regime" in contemporary international relations. It considers the changing terms of reference of the UN and includes a series of case studies to illustrate the multifaceted activities of the UN - in peacekeeping, arms control, aid for refugees and complex issues associated with developing nations and global urbanization. The author also surveys the prospects for internal change and principles of the organization, and provides an interdisciplinary history of the UN and debates the key issues for its future. It includes an annotated bibliography, glossary and guide to further source material to aid individual research.

The Wiley Paperback Series makes valuable content more accessible to a new generation of statisticians, mathematicians and scientists.

Graphical models--a subset of log-linear models--reveal the interrelationships between multiple variables and features of the underlying conditional independence. This introduction to the use of graphical models in the description and modeling of multivariate systems covers conditional independence, several types of independence graphs, Gaussian models, issues in model selection, regression and decomposition. Many numerical examples and exercises with solutions are included.

This book is aimed at students who require a course on applied multivariate statistics unified by the concept of conditional independence and researchers concerned with applying graphical modelling techniques.

This edited research monograph brings together contributions from computer scientists, biologists, and engineers who are engaged with the study of evolution and how it may be applied to solve real-world problems. It also serves as a Festschrift dedicated to Erik D. Goodman, the founding director of the BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, a pioneering NSF Science and Technology Center headquartered at Michigan State University. The contributing authors are leading experts associated with the center, and they serve in top research and industrial establishments across the US and worldwide. Part I summarizes the history of the BEACON Center, with refreshingly personal chapters that describe Erik's working and leadership style, and others that discuss the development and successes of the center in the context of research funding, projects, and careers. The chapters in Part II deal with the evolution of genomes and evolvability. The contributions in Part III discuss the evolution of behavior and intelligence. Those in Part IV concentrate on the evolution of communities and collective dynamics. The chapters in Part V discuss selected evolutionary computing applications in domains such as arts and science, automated program repair, cybersecurity, mechatronics, and genomic prediction. Part VI deals with evolution in the classroom, using creativity in research, and responsible conduct in research training. The book concludes with a special chapter from Erik Goodman, a short biography that concentrates on his personal positive influences and experiences throughout his long career in academia and industry.

Published by Sinauer Associates, an imprint of Oxford University Press. Biogeography, first published in 1983, is one of the most comprehensive text and general reference books in the natural sciences. The fifth edition builds on the strengths of previous editions to provide an insightful and integrative explanation of how geographic variation across terrestrial and marine environments has influenced the fundamental processes of immigration, extinction, and evolution to shape species distributions and nearly all patterns of biological diversity. It is an empirically and conceptually rich text that illustrates general patterns and processes using examples from a broad diversity of life forms, time periods and aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Biogeography, Fifth Edition, is written as a primary text for undergraduate and graduate courses, and is also an invaluable reference for biogeographers, ecologists, evolutionary biologists, and conservation biologists. Its fundamental assertion is that patterns in biological diversity make little sense unless viewed within an explicit geographic context. Starting from principal patterns and fundamental principles, and assuming only a rudimentary knowledge of biology, geography, and Earth history, the text explains the relationships between geographic variation in biological diversity and the geological, ecological, and evolutionary processes that have produced them. The use of color illustrations, evaluated and optimized for colorblind readers, has transformed our abilities to illustrate key concepts and empirical patterns in the geography of nature. By providing a description of the historical development of biogeography, evolution and ecology, along with a comprehensive account of the principal patterns, fundamental principles and recent advances in each of these fields of science, our ultimate vision is for Biogeography to serve as the centerpiece of a one- or two-semester core course in biological diversity.