Field Days: Journal of an Itinerant Biologist

Customer Reviews:

a delightful romp through a variety of topics, great fun.......2003-02-19

This delightful book, "Field Days," perfectly fits its title. As author Roger B. Swaim writes in the introduction, field days means not only "the sense of there being explorations and scientific investigations carried on outdoors," but also that it carries connotations of "the sense of unfettered activity, extreme pleasure, delight, and enthusiasm." In this work Swaim explores a number of biology and natural history issues in his native New England - and often of the world at large - ranging with pleasure and enthusiam from one topic to another almost as a butterfly flitting about a sunny meadow. Much in the spirit of his book, I provide a small review sample of some of the chapters of his book.

"Trackside" explores an unusual topic, railroad flora. He writes that trains are often excellent dispersers of seeds, often resulting in many exotic and unusual plants being found along railroads. From alianthus to onions, sesame to cucumbers, snapdragons to petunias, castor bean from Africa to Dallis grass from South America, pears to apricots, all have been found along railroads, places traditionally thought of of as waste places. Swaim explores how these plants arrive in such an odd location, how they survive, and just marvels at the wonder of it, of how nature always finds a way.

"Gypsy Moths" explores one of the most hated denizens of the eastern United States, insect invaders that spread like a plague ever year to the chagrin of local residents, "horrified by the thousands of dark, hairy caterpillars with their blue and red warts, horrified by the incessant leaf chewing, and revolted by the steady drizzle of caterpillar droppings from the branches overhead." Swaim explores the biology of these insects, their history in the United States, their effects on the local ecology, and of humanity's war against them. Even with these much maligned organisms Swaim finds interesting and enlightened things to say.

"Guests at Work" explores one of those uniquely New England pasttimes; making maple syrup. If you never knew how it was made and wanted to know this chapter is a treat, showing how even small residential plots have yielded rich syrup, from light amber Grade A syrup to molasses-dark Grade C.

Showing his enthusiasm for the natural world world knows no bounds, in "The Ungracious Host" Swaim explores a subject I don't see often discussed at least in my readings in popular natural history writings; lice. Exploring their biology, the different types of lice that afflict people, their interaction with humans, and how people combat them, Swaim provided me with information I never knew!

There are of course many other subjects discussed in "Field Days," from fungus to growing and harvesting cranberries to evergreens to pollen (and hay fever) to how animals and plants deal with the arrival of spring to issues of lake water quality...so many topics are discussed with humor, authority, and enthusiasm that there is something for everyone.

READABLE & RE-READABLE.......2001-07-02

Roger Swain not only writes of the garden: how and when to "let nature take its course;" photosynthesis and evergreen leaves; future, scientific uses for cranberry juice beyond asking a bartender for a more sophisticated drink than ginger ale; bee venom as a treatment for arthritis---he also makes all of his extaordinary thoughts interesting and entertaining.

This is a book for people who realize that our actions have effects on our world. and, perhaps more importantly, it should be read by those people, including politicians, who do not.

Swain is the science editor of "Horticulture" magazine. He writes gracefully (i.e. in his "Fair Days For Vegetables" he tells us that "For many, just the subject of tomatoes is enough to leave a good taste in their mouths.") and his essays can be read and re-read. My personal favorite, which I've read three different times, is about the declining quality of our water: "A Drink You Can Swim In." Swain writes of the popularity of bottled waters and cleverly quotes Samuel Clemens: "To increase something's popularity you have only to increase the price...." RECOMMENDED

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Field Days : Journal Of An Itinerant Biologist
Roger B. Swain
Manufacturer: Charles Scribner's Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GWVG50

Average customer rating:
Field Days: Journal of an Itinerant Biologist
Roger B Swain
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OJ79RO

Book Description

Although dynamical mechanical analysis or spectroscopy has left the domain of the rheologist and has become a prevalent tool in the analytical laboratory, it is still common to hear, "What is DMA, and what will it tell me?" or "I think I could use a DMA, but I cannot justify its cost." Previously, the novice in the field had to sort through texts on thermal analysis, rheology, and materials science just to find basic information - until now. This book provides the chemist, chemical engineer, or materials scientist with a starting point to understand the applications of dynamic mechanical analysis, its workings, and its advantages and limitations. Discussions include: · rheological concepts · stress-strain · data handling · experimental techniques and considerations · test methods, such as frequency sweeps and time-temperature curves · data analysis

Customer Reviews:

It may help yr experiment.......2006-07-03

The clear text will guide my experiment in composites.

The DMA technique may be helpful on several materials dynamic-mechanical characterization and this book introduces the why and how to.

Good investment to my thesis!

What I needed, when I needed it.......2001-09-27

I needed to get up to speed on DMA fast and I got what I needed. It didn't provide all the info I required for my specific application (submicron thin films) but it did provide a sound foundation for further investigation. This is truly what it claims to be, a practical introduction, many thanks to the author.

Finally! The Book That Spells Out The Answers To Questions........2000-02-09

I spent many hours researching for a Thermal Mechanical textbook that was packed full of "Get Down To The Point Answers". Let's face it, there are not many current Thermal Analysis textbooks for sale. The books I've seen are too scrambled with no understanding at the end. This book was VERY informative, and it answered my questions. Special Thanks to the author. Please write many more books with the same intentions in mind: "We would like to understand and learn from what we read"! Thank You!

Finally! The Book That Spells Out The Answers To My Question.......2000-02-09

I'm hoping for an expanded second edition...........1999-11-19

I ordered this book based on the other review here onamazon.com and was looking for a bit more. A fair bit of the contentis already covered by free application notes on the web and sales literature that the makers of DMA instrumentation pass out for free. If your looking for a solid treatment of the polymer physics of DMA testing, that's not this book; maybe it hasn't been written yet. If you just want to relate DMA testing to real world environments and effects, then there aren't enough good examples in the book or a method to make this book worth the price.

Book Description

This new edition of Gel Electrophoresis of Proteins is a completely new text, with eight of the ten chapters written by new authors. It presents the best methods, hints and tips for core procedures such as one- dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, preparative gel electrophoresis, and peptide mapping, complete with the latest refinements and updates of the procedures. In addition, it describes major new techniques which have come to the fore since the previous edition. Thus there are chapters on capillary gel electrophoresis, sequence analysis of gel-resolved proteins, fluorophore-labelled saccharide electrophoresis, and analysis of protein:protein interactions by gel electrophoresis. One thing has not changed. The emphasis is still on describing the best methods, in step-by-step detail, with copious advice to ensure that each method works first time in the reader's hands. The first two editions of Gel Electrophoresis of Proteins: A Practical Approach each gained a strong reputation as easy-to-follow laboratory manuals written by experienced researchers for researchers. The methods were presented in a clear accessible format and had been fully tested to ensure success in the lab. This new edition will strengthen the reputation of the book still further. It is a 'must have' for all those who currently use gel electrophoresis or who plan to do so.

Customer Reviews:

a great resource book.......2000-06-26

Although there has been many books on gel electophroresis, this book seems to stand out the most. Being a novice in this field, I greatly appreciated Hames' and Rickwoods' practical procedures and methods. I srtongly recommend this book to all scientists and upcoming scientists.

Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy of Polymers (Practical Spectroscopy)

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Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy of Polymers (Practical Spectroscopy)
H. W. Siesler
Manufacturer: Marcel Dekker Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Polymers & Macromolecules | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 082476935X

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Practical Polymer Analysis
T.R. Crompton
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Analytic | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books

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Polymers & Macromolecules | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

This unique, practical text details analytical methods for all the main types of polymers and copolymers in commercial use, taking into account their microstructure, nonpolymeric components such as additives and residues, and other physical properties. Industrial and academic analysts working in plastics technology, engineering chemistry, and materials science will find it to be an indispensable resource.

Compositional and Failure Analysis of Polymers: A Practical Approach

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Compositional and Failure Analysis of Polymers: A Practical Approach
John Scheirs
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Plastics Failure Guide

ASIN: 0471625728

Book Description

Intended as a practical guide for polymer technologists, engineers and analysts in the plastics, composites and rubber fields, this title describes a range of techniques and strategies for compositional and failure analysis of polymeric materials and products. Numerous examples illustrate the application of analytical methods for solving commonly encountered problems in the polymer industry. The reader is guided towards the most appropriate method of analysis and measurement and the most likely reasons for the failure.

Areas covered include:
* Migration and interaction of additives
* Mechanical stress and stress cracking
* Crazing and fracture
* Residual stress and weld lines
* Contamination and discoloration
Numerous pedagogical methods, illustrative flow diagrams, figures and tables are used throughout the text to make it an invaluable guide to all analysts and polymer engineers in industrial or academic laboratories.

Protein Function: A Practical Approach (Practical Approach Series)

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Protein Function: A Practical Approach (Practical Approach Series)

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 019963615X

Book Description

The analysis of protein function is a vital step in the characterization of any newly discovered protein. This new edition brings up to date the techniques used, and presents experimental procedures that can be performed in the average laboratory without recourse to highly specialised
equipment. The protocols will be of use to both experienced and novice researchers and are accompanied by background information, hints and tips, and troubleshooting guides to ensure successful elucidation of protein function.

Lipid Analysis: A Practical Approach (Practical Approach Series)

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Lipid Analysis: A Practical Approach (Practical Approach Series)

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Analytic | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books

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Experiments & Projects | Experiments, Instruments & Measurement | Science | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

As a result of the development of new methodologies, there has recently been a surge of interest in lipids, and hence lipid analysis, among biochemists and medical scientists. This book covers methods of lipid extraction in solvent and solid phase systems, as well as methods of derivative
formation needed for a number of analytical procedures such as gas liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. It describes in practical detail the techniques for complete analysis of both isolated lipids and lipid mixtures. These include GLC, HPLC, TLC, and NMR. Lipid Analysis: A Practical
Approach will be invaluable not only to researchers in lipid biochemistry but also to newcomers in the field from biological, chemical, and ecological backgrounds.

Modulated Temperature Differential Scanning Calorimetry: Theoretical and Practical Applications in Polymer Characterisation (Hot Topics in Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry)

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Modulated Temperature Differential Scanning Calorimetry: Theoretical and Practical Applications in Polymer Characterisation (Hot Topics in Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 140203749X

Book Description

MTDSC provides a step-change increase in the power of calorimetry to characterize virtually all polymer systems including curing systems, blends and semicrystalline polymers. It enables hidden transitions to be revealed, miscibility to be accurately assessed, and phases and interfaces in complex blends to be quantified. It also enables crystallinity in complex systems to be measured and provides new insights into melting behaviour. All of this is achieved by a simple modification of conventional DSC.

In 1992 a new calorimetric technique was introduced that superimposed a small modulation on top of the conventional linear temperature program typically used in differential scanning calorimetry. This was combined with a method of data analysis that enabled the sample’s response to the linear component of the temperature program to be separated from its response to the periodic component. In this way, for the first time, a signal equivalent to that of conventional DSC was obtained simultaneously with a measure of the sample’s heat capacity from the modulation. The new information this provided sparked a revolution in scanning calorimetry by enabling new insights to be gained into almost all aspects of polymer characteristics.

This book provides both a basic and advanced treatment of the theory of the technique followed by a detailed exposition of its application to reacting systems, blends and semicrystalline polymers by the leaders in all of these fields. It is an essential text for anybody interested in calorimetry or polymer characterization, especially if they have found that conventional DSC cannot help them with their problems.

Protein-Ligand Interactions: A Practical Approach Volume 2: Structure and Spectroscopy (Practical Approach Series)

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Protein-Ligand Interactions: A Practical Approach Volume 2: Structure and Spectroscopy (Practical Approach Series)

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Biochemistry | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0199637474

Book Description

The two Practical Approach volumes on protein-ligand interaction do not comprise a comprehensive compilation of all the methods that can be used to investigate protein-ligand interactions. Instead, they are a selection of the most useful and easily applied methods and will be an invaluable guide to the principal techniques used to study the interactions of proteins and ligands. This second volume covers the major spectroscopic methods: FTIR, Raman, and fluorescence spectroscopy; circular dichroism, NMR, mass spectrometry, atomic force microscopy, and the use of paramagnetic probes. There are also chapters on X-ray crystallography and molecular modelling. Hydrodynamic and calorimetric techniques are covered in volume one. Both volumes are available individually, or as a set. Both volumes are written from a practical standpoint to be applicable to both academic and industrial scientists wishing to characterize protein-ligand systems by using a multi-disciplinary approach.

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Compositional and Failure Analysis of Polymers: A Practical Approach
John Scheirs
Manufacturer: Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MBQRR2

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