There is currently great interest in the biology of soil, stimulated by an increased concern to conserve natural resources, not only in agriculture but also in natural ecosystems. Recent developments in molecular biology have increased the possibilities of manipulating soil organisms and the processes they carry out, to improve food production and the quality of the environment. But important environmental questions associated with the application ofthis new biotechnology to soils are still to be resolved. Issues such as the desirability of using genetically-engineered microorganisms in soil can be discussed sensibly only in the light of an understanding of naturally-occurring organisms in soil. Although on a global basis food production continues to increase, man's current relationship with the soil in many parts ofthe world is characterised by decreasing soil fertility and increasing population pressure. Soil Science has an important role to play in the future, helping to solve these problems. Although not all areas of this large and expanding subject are covered in this book, I hope that I have been able to present the principles of soil biology in such a way that will interest the reader.

What opportunities does Design to Value afford the built environment? Design to Value is a commitment to process above all else. Well understood and applied in the manufacturing industries, its potential is only now starting to be realised in architecture, engineering and construction. It challenges designers to lead the way in creating more innovative and stakeholder-centric analyses, workflows, construction techniques and products. Through architectural thinking, value in the built environment can be maximised. Seeking to create deep and lasting impacts on industry, society and the planet, Design to Value rejects architecture's current professional services model. The design and delivery stages of traditional procurement routes are not sustainable, and Design to Value outlines a new path for informed design processes. Bryden Wood, leading international expert in Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and the Platform approach to Design for Manufacture and Assembly (P-DfMA), has spent the last fifteen years developing Design to Value as part of a new framework for the future of the design and construction industry. In this essential book, the practice challenges architects and the wider industry to think differently about how value is generated, enhanced and retained in the built realm, providing a method that will improve outcomes for architects, clients, industries and society. Architects must bend and break habitual processes to build better systems, better buildings and better futures. Features: Over 125 images, including photographs, sketches and diagrams Over 20 international case studies, including those from Canada, France, India, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia and USA Projects from leading practices, such as Atelier Bow-Wow, BIG, David Miller Architects, Kieran Timberlake and Lacaton & Vassal, as well as Bryden Wood.

A significant number of patients seen by general practitioners are suffering from infections. Although many of these are minor and self-limiting, they provide an important opportunity for improving the doctor's own understanding of the patient's response to illness, and for enabling the GP to educate the patient in ways in which certain infections may be prevented. Infectious diseases are also a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the modern developed world and, with more people travelling internationally than ever before, there is an increased risk of the spread of serious, non-endemic disease. An important part of the primary health care team's work is directed towards the prevention of infection through health education, immunization, or a combination of both these approaches. Infection provides a unique insight into the role of infection, seen from the combined perspective of GPs, an infectious diseases physician, and a medical microbiologist. It provides detailed information on the wide range of infections which are seen by GPs, including trivial viral infections, life-threatening acute bacterial meningitis, and imported infections such as malaria or typhoid fever. Included are case histories which reflect common practice both in primary care and within the hospital setting, as well as proposed guidelines for the management of infections which may present in general practice. Throughout the authors emphasize the role of teamwork as well as prevention in contemporary primary care through improved patient education.