Modern Methods of Plant Analysis When the handbook Modern Methods of Plant Analysis was first introduced in 1954 the considerations were 1. the dependence of scientific progress in biology on the improvement of existing and the introduction of new methods; 2. the inavailability of many new analytical methods concealed in specialized journals not normally accessible to experimental plant biologists; 3. the fact that in the methods sections of papers the description of methods is frequently so compact, or even sometimes so incomplete, that experiments are difficult to reproduce. These considerations still stand today. The series was highly successful, seven volumes appearing between 1956 and 1964. Since today there is still a demand for the old series, the publisher has decided to resume publication of Modern Methods of Plant Analysis. It is hoped that the New Series will be as acceptable to those working in plant sciences and related fields as the early volumes undoubtedly were. It is difficult to single out the major reasons for success of any publication, but we believe that the methods published in the first series were up-to-date at the time and the descriptions as applied to plant material so complete in themselves that there was little need to consult other publications.

The information presented in this book is the result of combined research efforts of scientists at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, the Institute of Northern Forestry, USDA Forest Service, and the Systems Ecology Research Group, San Diego State University. The objective of the volume is to present a synthetic overview of structure and function of taiga forest ecosystems in interior Alaska. The data base for this work has appeared in earlier published articles including the special issue of the Canadian Journal of Forest Research Volume 13:5 (1983). Stimulus for this book was a conference held in Fairbanks from June 10-14, 1983. The papers presented at the conference were fore runners of the chapters in this book. We invited 19 scientists from North America and England to critique our research and synthesis efforts. Six of these people were asked to write introductory chapters for each section of the book. Formal presentation sessions, combined with field trips to research sites, introduced the invitees to the primary and secondary successional ecosystems with which we were dealing. A major wildfire, only 24 km from the University campus, was contained the week prior to the conference and one field trip provided graphic evidence of fire impact in subarctic forests. The conference conveners regretted that it was not possible to host a similar meeting during synthesis efforts in mid-January."

The International Symposium on Artificial Heart and Assist Devices has been held three times, first in 1985, then in 1987 and 1990. It is my great pleasure to present Artificial Heart 3 (Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Artificial Heart and Assist Devices). The third symposium was held in Tokyo on February 16 and 17, 1990. Our original intention was to invite all the principal investigators from the major artificial heart research laboratories in the world, in the first three symposia. The numbers of investigators in the fields of the artificial heart, ventricular assist systems, and biomaterials, invited for the symposia, totalled 7 in 1985, 8 in 1987, and 13 in 1990. The program of the third symposium consisted of 41 papers; 13 invited lectures, 8 papers contributed upon request, with 2 from the United States, and 20 regular selected papers including 2 from the United States, ana 1 each from Australia, Germany, and South Korea. During the last three years, the state of clinical application of artificial hearts and assist devices has changed. In the case of pneumatically driven blood pumps, we have now stepped into the age of practical use in patients. Accordingly, in this symposium we gave a special emphasis to topics of clinical application, particularly the use of an artificial heart as a bridge to heart transplantation. Sessions on implantable artificial hearts, biomaterials for the artificial heart, and heart transplantation were also included.

This book is a straightforward and entertaining primer on college teaching. It discusses the nitty-gritty aspects of teaching while providing readers with a synoptic but concise explanation of the principles of the art. It also offers a viable alternative to the books on teaching currently available or in print. That alternative is the classic texts on education and pedagogy. These books are essential, the author argues, because they show teachers how to apply the principles of teaching while fostering the aims of liberal education at the same time. These books also help them pose the fundamental questions about education that all teachers should be asking. Aimed primarily at graduate students and new college professors, this book is a useful and practical guide for those who are passionate about teaching but feel unprepared to teach, unsure of what to expect in the classroom, and stifled in the current academic climate. It will likewise appeal to high school teachers and veteran college professors who are disenchanted and seek some way to break free from their malaise. It is intentionally short, little, "skinny," so that it can be read through quickly and so that readers can peruse the chapters and mull over the topics at their leisure. Above all else, this book will introduce a new generation of readers to some of the great masters who can reveal the timeless truths-and yes, even the magic-behind the art.

This book is a straightforward and entertaining primer on college teaching. It discusses the nitty-gritty aspects of teaching while providing readers with a synoptic but concise explanation of the principles of the art. It also offers a viable alternative to the books on teaching currently available or in print. That alternative is the classic texts on education and pedagogy. These books are essential, the author argues, because they show teachers how to apply the principles of teaching while fostering the aims of liberal education at the same time. These books also help them pose the fundamental questions about education that all teachers should be asking. Aimed primarily at graduate students and new college professors, this book is a useful and practical guide for those who are passionate about teaching but feel unprepared to teach, unsure of what to expect in the classroom, and stifled in the current academic climate. It will likewise appeal to high school teachers and veteran college professors who are disenchanted and seek some way to break free from their malaise. It is intentionally short, little, 'skinny,' so that it can be read through quickly and so that readers can peruse the chapters and mull over the topics at their leisure. Above all else, this book will introduce a new generation of readers to some of the great masters who can reveal the timeless truths - and yes, even the magic - behind the art.