Middle Eastern instability is manifest externally in many ways: by crises afflicting governing regimes, the rise of political Islam, terrorism, revolution, civil war, increased migration, and the collapse of many states. This book examines the roots of this instability using a theoretically original and empirically supported historical-sociological comparative analysis. Countering common interpretations of postcolonial Middle Eastern development, Instability in the Middle East focuses on the highly uneven and unsynchronized pace of change in individual sociodemographic, economic, and political dimensions of modernization. Drawing on the theory of multiple modernities, Cerny investigates the broader cultural, religious, and international political context of uneven modernization in the Middle East and tests his model using a time series of dozens of indicators over the past fifty years, revealing a long-term trend of cumulative change across the region.

Collected here for the first time, you'll find the published cases of Thadeus Rede, a detective of near future Seattle: the novella "Thin Ice," and the short stories "The Wolf Encrypted" and "The Wolf Revealed." The collection also offers an assortment of tales starring various parasites (natural, mutant, and human) and a cranky vampire. Reviews about Thadeus Rede stories: "Thin Ice": "Drawn from a rich and detailed future Seattle, "Thin Ice" is a detective novel at heart, and a very accomplished one at that. The plot flows fast with unexpected twists and enough red herrings to keep the reader guessing. This novel will keep you hooked until the very last page, the writing is intelligent and easy to read, the characterization is spot on and the back story both rich and vividly realized. . . . There is also a really gritty feel to this future city, not quite dystopian but something of a balance between dystopia and modern life. N]ot a single sentence is wasted, there are no filler bits, every page and every word advances the story and provides background detail. Highly recommended." -"Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Reviews" - sfbook.com. "This is a great book for those who enjoy the fascinating 'what if' of science fiction." -"Spokane Coeur d'Alene Living Magazine" (February 2012). "The Wolf Encrypted" "Solid noir with great prose and a well depicted future backdrop." -"Futurismic ezine" editor.

Do you want forensics to play a starring role in your fiction, but you find that you're not quite sure what it's all about? Forensic Science for Writers reveals the secrets behind forensic science technology. You'll explore how investigators analyze blood, DNA, fingerprints, hair, documents, ammunition, corpses, and other physical evidence. From the code-breaking tricks of the cyber-sleuth to the traditional procedures of the autopsy room, you'll investigate the strengths and weaknesses of forensic science. Forensic Science for Writers is not just about science. You'll learn how to use forensics to create plot twists. And you'll see how best-selling authors successfully incorporated forensic science in their stories. You'll also learn common misconceptions about forensic analysis that plague films and novels - the types of errors that you'll want to avoid in your own writing. This book is based upon an online course that was offered through colleges and other organizations. More than 800 students took the course, including writers, schoolteachers, law enforcement personnel, and attorneys. "As an already successful writer," one student said, "I am sure I will refer to these lessons over the coming years as I continue to write novels."

In 1910, Dr. James B. Herrick published Western medical literature's first description of a person with sickle cell disease. Soon, other physicians reported patients with similar symptoms and confirmed the characteristic feature of the disease: elongated red blood cells. In 1922, the peculiar shape of the cells inspired the official name for the disorder. Within 30 years, scientists had learned about the cause of sickle cell disease - an abnormal form of hemoglobin. ""Sickle Cell Disease"" explores the scientific discoveries that led to an understanding of the genetic basis of the disease, explaining how a single mutation in hemoglobin multiplies into the many symptoms of sickle cell disease. Also investigated are treatments that help individuals manage sickle cell disease symptoms, and how gene therapy and stem cell therapy may one day lead to a cure for the disease.

Animals and plants use ingenious ways to reproduce and ensure the survival of their species. One of these methods is asexual reproduction, a process by which some plants and animals create clones. Scientists have adapted this process and invented techniques to generate clones for a variety of purposes. In Reproduction and Cloning, learn how researchers have studied a variety of reproductive processes to develop technology to treat infertility and produce new plants and animals, sometimes through controversial means.

Scientific progress often sparks disputes about the meaning of a discovery, the research methods, and the possible uses of new technology. From the debate about teaching evolution in public schools to the modern controversies of ownership that arise in the context of gene patenting and medical tissues, there have been many ethical and religious arguments for and against further scientific advancements. Stem Cell Research and Other Cell-Related Controversies explores many of these complex issues in cell research and technology, including strategies for pursuing human stem cell-based therapies and the genetic modification of plants, animals, and humans.