Shortlisted for the 2018 TWS Wildlife Publication Awards in the edited book category The various species of new world blackbirds, often intermingled in large foraging flocks and nighttime roosts, collectively number in the hundreds of millions and are a dominant component of the natural and agricultural avifauna in North America today. Because of their abundance, conspicuous flocking behavior, and feeding habits, these species have often been in conflict with human endeavors. The pioneering publications on blackbirds were by F. E. L. Beal in 1900 and A. A. Allen in 1914. These seminal treatises laid the foundation for more than 1,000 descriptive and experimental studies on the life histories of blackbirds as well as their ecology and management in relation to agricultural damage and other conflicts such as caused by large winter roosting congregations. The wealth of information generated in over a century of research is found in disparate outlets that include government reports, conference proceedings, peer-reviewed journals, monographs, and books. For the first time, Ecology and Management of Blackbirds (Icteridae) in North America summarizes and synthesizes this vast body of information on the biology and life histories of blackbirds and their conflicts with humans into a single volume for researchers, wildlife managers, agriculturists, disease biologists, ornithologists, policy makers, and the public. The book reviews the life histories of red-winged blackbirds, yellow-headed blackbirds, common grackles, and brown-headed cowbirds. It provides in-depth coverage of the functional roles of blackbirds in natural and agricultural ecosystems. In doing so, this authoritative reference promotes the development of improved science-based, integrated management strategies to address conflicts when resolutions are needed.

As studies using microarray technology have evolved, so have the data analysis methods used to analyze these experiments. The CAMDA conference plays a role in this evolving field by providing a forum in which investors can analyze the same data sets using different methods. Methods of Microarray Data Analysis IV is the fourth book in this series, and focuses on the important issue of associating array data with a survival endpoint. Previous books in this series focused on classification (Volume I), pattern recognition (Volume II), and quality control issues (Volume III). In this volume, four lung cancer data sets are the focus of analysis. We highlight three tutorial papers, including one to assist with a basic understanding of lung cancer, a review of survival analysis in the gene expression literature, and a paper on replication. In addition, 14 papers presented at the conference are included. This book is an excellent reference for academic and industrial researchers who want to keep abreast of the state of the art of microarray data analysis. Jennifer Shoemaker is a faculty member in the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics and the Director of the Bioinformatics Unit for the Cancer and Leukemia Group B Statistical Center, Duke University Medical Center. Simon Lin is a faculty member in the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics and the Manager of the Duke Bioinformatics Shared Resource, Duke University Medical Center.

As microarray technology has matured, data analysis methods have advanced as well. Methods Of Microarray Data Analysis III is the third book in this pioneering series dedicated to the existing new field of microarrays. While initial techniques focused on classification exercises (volume I of this series), and later on pattern extraction (volume II of this series), this volume focuses on data quality issues. Problems such as background noise determination, analysis of variance, and errors in data handling are highlighted. Three tutorial papers are presented to assist with a basic understanding of underlying principles in microarray data analysis, and twelve new papers are highlighted analyzing the same CAMDA'02 datasets: the Project Normal data set or the Affymetrix Latin Square data set. A comparative study of these analytical methodologies brings to light problems, solutions and new ideas. This book is an excellent reference for academic and industrial researchers who want to keep abreast of the state of art of microarray data analysis.

Microarray technology is a major experimental tool for functional genomic explorations, and will continue to be a major tool throughout this decade and beyond. The recent explosion of this technology threatens to overwhelm the scientific community with massive quantities of data. Because microarray data analysis is an emerging field, very few analytical models currently exist. Methods of Microarray Data Analysis II is the second book in this pioneering series dedicated to this exciting new field. In a single reference, readers can learn about the most up-to-date methods, ranging from data normalization, feature selection, and discriminative analysis to machine learning techniques. Currently, there are no standard procedures for the design and analysis of microarray experiments. Methods of Microarray Data Analysis II focuses on a single data set, using a different method of analysis in each chapter. Real examples expose the strengths and weaknesses of each method for a given situation, aimed at helping readers choose appropriate protocols and utilize them for their own data set. In addition, web links are provided to the programs and tools discussed in several chapters. This book is an excellent reference not only for academic and industrial researchers, but also for core bioinformatics/genomics courses in undergraduate and graduate programs.

Microarray technology is a major experimental tool for functional genomic explorations, and will continue to be a major tool throughout this decade and beyond. The recent explosion of this technology threatens to overwhelm the scientific community with massive quantities of data. Because microarray data analysis is an emerging field, very few analytical models currently exist. Methods of Microarray Data Analysis is one of the first books dedicated to this exciting new field. In a single reference, readers can learn about the most up-to-date methods ranging from data normalization, feature selection and discriminative analysis to machine learning techniques. Currently, there are no standard procedures for the design and analysis of microarray experiments. Methods of Microarray Data Analysis focuses on two well-known data sets, using a different method of analysis in each chapter. Real examples expose the strengths and weaknesses of each method for a given situation, aimed at helping readers choose appropriate protocols and utilize them for their own data set. In addition, web links are provided to the programs and tools discussed in several chapters. This book is an excellent reference not only for academic and industrial researchers, but also for core bioinformatics/genomics courses in undergraduate and graduate programs.

As studies using microarray technology have evolved, so have the data analysis methods used to analyze these experiments. The CAMDA conference plays a role in this evolving field by providing a forum in which investors can analyze the same data sets using different methods. Methods of Microarray Data Analysis IV is the fourth book in this series, and focuses on the important issue of associating array data with a survival endpoint. Previous books in this series focused on classification (Volume I), pattern recognition (Volume II), and quality control issues (Volume III).

In this volume, four lung cancer data sets are the focus of analysis. We highlight three tutorial papers, including one to assist with a basic understanding of lung cancer, a review of survival analysis in the gene expression literature, and a paper on replication. In addition, 14 papers presented at the conference are included. This book is an excellent reference for academic and industrial researchers who want to keep abreast of the state of the art of microarray data analysis.

Jennifer Shoemaker is a faculty member in the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics and the Director of the Bioinformatics Unit for the Cancer and Leukemia Group B Statistical Center, Duke University Medical Center. Simon Lin is a faculty member in the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics and the Manager of the Duke Bioinformatics Shared Resource, Duke University Medical Center.

As microarray technology has matured, data analysis methods have advanced as well. Methods Of Microarray Data Analysis III is the third book in this pioneering series dedicated to the existing new field of microarrays. While initial techniques focused on classification exercises (volume I of this series), and later on pattern extraction (volume II of this series), this volume focuses on data quality issues. Problems such as background noise determination, analysis of variance, and errors in data handling are highlighted.

Three tutorial papers are presented to assist with a basic understanding of underlying principles in microarray data analysis, and twelve new papers are highlighted analyzing the same CAMDA'02 datasets: the Project Normal data set or the Affymetrix Latin Square data set. A comparative study of these analytical methodologies brings to light problems, solutions and new ideas. This book is an excellent reference for academic and industrial researchers who want to keep abreast of the state of art of microarray data analysis.

Microarray technology is a major experimental tool for functional genomic explorations, and will continue to be a major tool throughout this decade and beyond. The recent explosion of this technology threatens to overwhelm the scientific community with massive quantities of data. Because microarray data analysis is an emerging field, very few analytical models currently exist. Methods of Microarray Data Analysis II is the second book in this pioneering series dedicated to this exciting new field. In a single reference, readers can learn about the most up-to-date methods, ranging from data normalization, feature selection, and discriminative analysis to machine learning techniques.

Currently, there are no standard procedures for the design and analysis of microarray experiments. Methods of Microarray Data Analysis II focuses on a single data set, using a different method of analysis in each chapter. Real examples expose the strengths and weaknesses of each method for a given situation, aimed at helping readers choose appropriate protocols and utilize them for their own data set. In addition, web links are provided to the programs and tools discussed in several chapters. This book is an excellent reference not only for academic and industrial researchers, but also for core bioinformatics/genomics courses in undergraduate and graduate programs.

Microarray technology is a major experimental tool for functional genomic explorations, and will continue to be a major tool throughout this decade and beyond. The recent explosion of this technology threatens to overwhelm the scientific community with massive quantities of data. Because microarray data analysis is an emerging field, very few analytical models currently exist. Methods of Microarray Data Analysis is one of the first books dedicated to this exciting new field. In a single reference, readers can learn about the most up-to-date methods ranging from data normalization, feature selection and discriminative analysis to machine learning techniques. Currently, there are no standard procedures for the design and analysis of microarray experiments. Methods of Microarray Data Analysis focuses on two well-known data sets, using a different method of analysis in each chapter. Real examples expose the strengths and weaknesses of each method for a given situation, aimed at helping readers choose appropriate protocols and utilize them for their own data set. In addition, web links are provided to the programs and tools discussed in several chapters. This book is an excellent reference not only for academic and industrial researchers, but also for core bioinformatics/genomics courses in undergraduate and graduate programs.

Readers of this book learn graphic rendering skills quickly with the proven how-to approach that has made Lin the most successful teacher in the field. His method emphasizes speed, confidence, and relaxation, while incorporating many time-saving tricks of the trade.