Biological Systematics: Principles and Applications (Comstock Books)

Book Description

Most students who take a course in biological systematics do so to learn how to construct a data matrix and generate and evaluate a tree of phylogenetic relationships. Biological Systematics: Principles and Applications, by Randall T. Schuh, provides a welcome tool for these students and their instructors: it is a comprehensive and completely new textbook, the first of its kind since 1981.

Systematics, the study of the reconstruction of the history of life, forms the underlying basis for organizing the knowledge of biology; cladistics is the diagrammatic method of charting phylogenetic relationships over time among evolving life forms. Cladistics analysis, the key tool used in this book, is also of great use outside pure systematic studies, and interests many students of population biology, ecology, epidemiology, and natural resources.

Suitable for both graduate and advanced undergraduate students, Biological Systematics: Principles and Applications covers the core material for courses in biological systematics, with equal emphasis on both botany and zoology. It includes sections on the history and resources of the field; biological nomenclature; the theory of homology, character analysis, and computer algorithms; and the application of the results of systematic studies in the areas of biological classification, biogeography, adaptation and co-evolution, and biodiversity and conservation.

Customer Reviews:

Good book, good package.......2005-10-02

Thanks to quick sending, I could use that book in my class!!

Great for the right reader........2004-05-08

Systematics is the art, the science, and the ongoing debate of assigning organisms to phylogenetic groups. If you're from bioinformatics, you may think, "Oh. Tree-building." This book is much more fundmental: it talks about the biological data and philosophical approach needed for any kind of organization. This book informs the beliefs behind your choice of algorithms and data to involve.

Modern bioinformaticists usually assume that tree-building moves forward from DNA or protein strings. That blinds us to the 200 years of classification based on physical features, behavior, and even geographic distribution. In that time, huge numbers of debates have sprung up, too many to list here. A few caught my interest though. First, suppose that "all pterogyte insects have wings". The fight starts when an apparent pterogyte shows up with no wings. Personally, I don't see the problem. If having wings is a defining feature, then it's a non-pterogyte, mutations excepted. If having wings is a pattern we noticed but not part of the definition, then the pattern needs work. I'm not a taxonomist, though.

Another debate (p.53) is whether to accept parsimony, the principle of least mechanism, as a taxonomic tool. The objectors claim that it's suspect because of the assumptions behind it, whether or not anyone has "... stat[ed] precisely what the assumptions are." Well, someone may come up with an assumption some day, so we may as well get our objections in early.

This book is distinctly non-mathematical. I don't know all that much, but I do know to ask what background probability model is used to decide whether a similarity or difference matters. That was never mentioned explicitly, but was silently buried in half-page descriptions of jack-knifing and boot-strapping.

It's non-mathematical content is very valuable, though. Its glossary gives clear descriptions of subtly different terms. The chapter on nomenclature, the formal process of naming, was a real discovery for me. I had no idea that the rules were so elaborate.

Perhaps it's the nature of the field, but I was surprised at how few recent references appeared at the end of most chapters. I appreciate the classic papers, back to the 1900s. The 1970s were well represented. References from the 1990s, however, were startling when they did appear, since there were so very few of them. Considering the book's 2000 copyright date, the source material seemed older than I would have expected.

This won't give you any insight into algorithms or mathematical techniques, which disappointed me initially. Once I settled into the biological and historical insight that the book does give, though, I found it very enjoyable.

Great as a textbook for college students.......2002-03-11

This book makes a great revision on the development of some of the ideas and methods currently used in cladistics. Even though it is not a deep revision it succintly addresses the major ideas in which the theory has been developed. The strongest point that this book makes is the role of philosophy of science in development of cladistic methods (Chapter 3). Schuh scores again in Chapter 6, by presenting the common methods in quantitative cladistics, and by presenting a thoroughly discussion about long branch attraction (a potential nightmare for molecular biologists). It is a little bit too synthetic in presenting the applications of cladistic analyses. It also is biased to applications in biogeography and it presents Brooks Parsimony Analysis (BPA) and Assumptions 0, 1, and 2 as separate things when the aforemention assumptions must be used as part of BPA.
In short it is a great summary of the development of concepts and methods in cladistics during the last 40 years, for such a reason it is a great tool for undergraduate students that my overcome that gap in their knowledge.

Systematics put into Perspective.......2001-10-06

Not necessarily just the authors point on the subject of systematics. Schuh provides an objective look at the classification of a taxon and the fundemental basis for understanding such endevors. Although the disagreements of other scientists in the subject area becomes overwhelming, Schuh provides a well written technical look at what is involved in systematics. Surely not intended for a novice in the subject area of biology.

Cladistics without confusions.......2000-07-31

At last we have the first condense and well written treatment on Cladistics for English speakers. Phylogenetic systematics or Cladistics is a young field relative to the more than 200 years of taxonomic history. The pioneers textbooks on the subject (e.g., Nelson and Platnick, Wiley), although excellent, appeared at the beginning of the eighties and reflect the turbulent history of systematics during the late sixties and most of the seventies. The rapid maturation of the field during the next decade rendered these books quickly out of date regarding methods of analysis (the conceptual framework is still as fresh as ever). Other edited textbooks in English appeared at the beginning of the nineties, but their lack of condensation and consistency and their often lack of critical evaluation made them even dangerous for students trying to learn the subject. R. T. Schuh book comes to the rescue of students trying to become good systematists. The book summarizes and condenses the various topics of Cladistics without loosing important details. It also stresses the place of phylogenetic studies inside general biological taxonomic practices, debunking the myth that you must either construct phylogenies or work on taxonomy and nomenclature. Every student of biology must read this book.

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Industrial Chemicals: Basic Organic Compounds, Infrared Collection

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Industrial Chemicals: Basic Organic Compounds, Infrared Collection
BASF
Manufacturer: Wiley-VCH
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General & Reference | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

Chemical Concepts' Basic Organic Compounds infrared spectrum collection contains 1,000 spectra and structures of common organic compounds.

In addition to the molecular structure, the following information is available depending on format:

Chemical name
Purity
Melting point
Boiling point
Density
Molecular formula
Molecular weight
CAS-No
Measurement conditions
Resolution
Comments

Potential of near infrared spectroscopy to quantify boron concentration in treated wood.(Technical Note): An article from: Forest Products Journal

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Potential of near infrared spectroscopy to quantify boron concentration in treated wood.(Technical Note): An article from: Forest Products Journal
Adam Taylor , and Jeff Lloyd
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000OT7I2K
Release Date: 2007-03-21

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Forest Products Journal, published by Thomson Gale on January 1, 2007. The length of the article is 1362 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Potential of near infrared spectroscopy to quantify boron concentration in treated wood.(Technical Note)
Author: Adam Taylor
Publication: Forest Products Journal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 57 Issue: 1-2 Page: 116(2)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Synthesis and characterization of trinuclear chromium(III) carboxylate 4,4'-bipyridine assemblies. : An article from: Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science

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Synthesis and characterization of trinuclear chromium(III) carboxylate 4,4'-bipyridine assemblies. : An article from: Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science
Chika Nishijima , and John B. Vincent
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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Science & Technology | Subjects | e-Docs | Formats | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science, published by Thomson Gale on July 1, 2005. The length of the article is 4283 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Synthesis and characterization of trinuclear chromium(III) carboxylate 4,4'-bipyridine assemblies.
Author: Chika Nishijima
Publication: Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 76 Issue: 3-4 Page: 211(13)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Basic aspects of infrared spectrophotometry--instrumentation

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Basic aspects of infrared spectrophotometry--instrumentation
K. E Stine
Manufacturer: Beckman Instruments, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00070S04G

Basic techniques and experiments in infrared and FT-IR spectroscopy

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Basic techniques and experiments in infrared and FT-IR spectroscopy
Lucille Chia
Manufacturer: Perkin-Elmer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: B00071ZN2C

Infrared spectroscopy: Basic techniques and experiments

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Infrared spectroscopy: Basic techniques and experiments
Luis Avila
Manufacturer: Perkin Elmer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0006PBLJI

Van Der Maas Basic Infrared Spectroscopy 2ed

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Van Der Maas Basic Infrared Spectroscopy 2ed
JH VAN DER MAAS
Manufacturer: John Wiley and Sons Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Book Description

A comprehensive introduction to convexity and optimization in Rn

This book presents the mathematics of finite dimensional constrained optimization problems. It provides a basis for the further mathematical study of convexity, of more general optimization problems, and of numerical algorithms for the solution of finite dimensional optimization problems. For readers who do not have the requisite background in real analysis, the author provides a chapter covering this material. The text features abundant exercises and problems designed to lead the reader to a fundamental understanding of the material.

Convexity and Optimization in Rn provides detailed discussion of:

Requisite topics in real analysis
Convex sets
Convex functions
Optimization problems
Convex programming and duality
The simplex method

A detailed bibliography is included for further study and an index offers quick reference. Suitable as a text for both graduate and undergraduate students in mathematics and engineering, this accessible text is written from extensively class-tested notes.

Customer Reviews:

AN AMAZING, LIFE CHANGING BOOK.......2005-06-25

This book fully explains the convexity of math. The author really seems to know what he is talking about. It's almost as if math is somehow fun again. Convexity and Optimization in Rn is just amazing. I cannot stand math, but after I read this book I have had an ephiphany. I used to get B's in math. (actually I still do) But the point is, this book really helped me understand my mathmatics.

The author is knowledgeable. I got to meet him at a book signing and he was incredibly nice, funny, and amazing. His words changed my life forever. This book is a MUST READ! TWO THUMBS UP!

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Convexity and Optimization in Rn
Leonard D. Berkovitz
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N7IKMK

Book Description

A brand-new translation of the world's greatest satirist. With a signature style that is at once bawdy and delicate, as well as a fearless penchant for lampooning the rich and powerful, Aristophanes remains arguably the finest satirist of all time. Collected here are all 11 of his surviving plays-newly translated by the distinguished poet and translator Paul Roche.

Customer Reviews:

Local Dialect Detracts from the Plays.......2006-12-10

Paul Roche, attempting to give his plays a more "familiar" feel to an English-speaking audience goes too far.

He has the irritating habit of occasionally flavoring the words of a minor character in such a way that they sound more like an English country bumpkin than the character they are supposed to represent.

As an example, near the beginning of The Acharnians, Roche does the following; pay close attention to the Crier:

AMPHITHEUS: Have the speeches begun?
CRIER: 'oo wishes to speak?
AMPHITHEUS: I do.
CRIER: 'oo are you?
AMPHITHEUS: Amphitheus
CRIER: That don't sound like a 'uman being.

This is but a single example. If you prefer a feeling of authenticity in your ancient Greek drama, stay away from Paul Roche.

Ribald and Raucous.......2004-04-21

Aristophanes was a ribald playwright whose raucous plays were brilliantly brought to life by Fred Beake, David Slavitt, Palmer Bovie, and Jack Flavin. The first two of the four plays in Aristophanes, 1, The Acharnians and Peace were written during the Peloponnesian War between Athens, Sparta, and their allies. It was a terrible war consuming all of Greece, and Aristophanes was one of the first peace advocates. In The Acharnians, Dikaiopolis (which means "Good Citizen"), tries to convince the Assembly to discuss peace terms, only to be shut out of the discussion. So he hires Amphitheus, who claims to be a son of a god ordered to bring peace, to go to Sparta and make a treaty between Sparta and his family. In Peace, Trygaeus flies to heaven on a beetle to talk Zeus into advocating peace but Zeus went on vacation because he couldn't stand the fighting anymore and left War in charge. War buried Peace and Trygaeus had to rescue her to bring Peace to Athens.

The third play in the series, Celebrating Ladies, was a raucous attempt by Euripides, the famous Tragedian, to send his brother-in-law to the women's assembly to find out what the women are saying about him. So he dresses up as a woman and learns the women want to kill Euripides for writing so many disparaging things about them. Mnesilochus, the brother-in-law, speaks up for Euripides and the women try to kill him too. He's finally rescued when Euripides promises to change his behavior.

Finally, Wealth, represented the last of the extant plays of Aristophanes. Chremylus and his slave discover Wealth, a god blinded by Zeus because Zeus was afraid he might visit honest men. Chremylus claims he can restore his sight if he'll only visit with honest men. Wealth agrees, and with his sight restored, sprreads wealth to honest men and the lying informers are made to suffer in poverty.

The four plays in Aristophanes, 1 span the gamut from Old Comedy to New Comedy. The former was characterized by vulgar and slapstick humor with a Chorus used to interact with the audience. As comedy evolved, the Chorus played less a role and there was a softening of the ribald humor so characteristic of Old Comedy.

Book Description

A poet who hated an age of decadence, armed conflict, and departure from tradition, Aristophanes' comic genius influenced the political and social order of his own fifth-century Athens. But as Moses Hadas writes in his introduction to this volume, 'His true claim upon our attention is as the most brilliant and artistic and thoughtful wit our world has known.' Includes The Acharnians, The Birds, The Clouds, Ecclesiazusae, The Frogs, The Knights, Lysistrata, Peace, Plutus, Thesmophoriazusae, and The Wasps.

Customer Reviews:

Learn from my mistake.......2007-04-05

You may look at the Bantam Classics edition of Aristophanes and think "Wow, what a deal! All eleven extant plays by Aristophanes for under $6!" I thought the same thing; but trust me, this edition is not worth your time. These translations are stilted, archaic and endlessly frustrating - obscuring not only the timeless humor of the plays, but occasionally the basic elements of the plot as well. I recommend instead paying the extra money for the livelier, bawdier, more readable Penguin editions. Don't make the same mistake I did.

a dreadful translation of classic work.......2002-04-30

do NOT purchase this translation. it makes one of the funniest writers of all time boring. this translation is as bad as the previous reviewers have indicated. the best, and most hilarious, translation that i've seen is a 1938 version that , i think, eugene o'neill worked on as an editor or something. however, aristophanes should definitely be checked out by afficionados of ancient greek literature as well as anyone interested in comic writing that'll make you laugh out loud. he's one of the titans of world literature.

Disappointed by a Bad Translation.......2001-11-04

The plays of Aristophanes comic masterpieces, but not in these old-fashioned, stilted translations. I have read other translations of some of these plays. When properly translated, they are witty in much of their wordplay, frequently ribald and often funny. The language of the present translations, on the other hand, is stiff, obscure and scarcely readable. The publisher has done us a great service by compiling all of the Aristophanes plays into a single volume, but should reissue the collection in a better, more modern translation, one which does justice to the original.

Too Much Liberty in Paraphrasing.......2001-05-04

I agree with the previous review on "Baudlerizing". Not only is the translation edited for sexual content but translating greek currencies (likely drachmae) into dollars, translating references to women's robes into "silk" -- probably unknown in ancient Greece, etc., makes this book less useful for people like myself who cannot read the ancient Greek, but are researching the historical period. The book retains much of Aristophanes humor and is, fairly much, kid-safe for those parents who are concerned about a child precocious enough to read Aristophanes being corrupted by an accurate translation.

Bowdlerized Aristophanes!.......2001-03-28

I can accept some stilted language; after all, some of these translations are about a century old. I can accept the lack of notes. But I can not accept translations of Aristophanes that cut some of his funniest scenes!

For instance, in the translation of Thesmophoriazusae, the unmasking of Mnesilochus (line 600 and after) is gutted. Lines 610-617 are gone (Mnesilochus' urination excuse), but more importantly, the whole climax of the scene -- the hilarious physical comedy where he tries to maintain his female disguise (lines 643-649) -- is nowhere to be seen.

It's hard to imagine that an editor would allow 19th century prudery to ruin a 20th century edition of Aristophanes, but there you are.

Despite the cheap price, this book is no bargain. Spring for the more expensive (if a bit less literal) Penguin versions.

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THE COMPLETE PLAYS OF ARISTOPHANES

Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000I15HLI

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The Complete Plays of Aristophanes
Moses (Editor) Aristophanes and Hadas
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000GWHHOY

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Complete Plays of Aristophanes
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Manufacturer: BANTAM BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000TXP22O

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Complete Plays of Aristophanes
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Manufacturer: Bantam Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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The Complete Plays of Aristophanes

Manufacturer: Bantam Classic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000J1N2IC

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The Complete Plays of Aristophanes

Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Plays include: ACHARNIANS, KNIGHTS, CLOUDS, WASPS, PEACE,BIRDS, LYSISTRATA, THESMOPHORIAZUSAE, FROGS, ECCLESIAZUSAE, PLUTUS

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