Chemokine Biology - Basic Research and Clinical Application: Vol. 1: Immunobiology of Chemokines (Progress in Inflammation Research)

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Chemokines play an important role in recruiting inflammatory cells into tissues in response to infection and inflammation. They also play an important role in coordinating the movement of T-cells, B-cells and dentritic cells, necessary to generate an immune response (response to injury, allergens, antigens, invading microorganisms). They selectively attract leukocytes to inflammatory foci, inducing both cell migration and activation. They are involved in various diseases, like atherosclerosis, lung and skin inflammation, multiple sclerosis, or HIV.
Volume 1 of this two-volume set discusses the immunobiology of chemokines. It is divided into two parts: a) cellular targets in innate and adaptive immunity, and b) effector cell traffic-unrelated functions. Together with volume 2, which discusses the pathophysiology of chemokines, both volumes give a comprehensive overview of chemokine biology.

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Features new chapters on crystal chemistry and mineral stability diagrams, more logical treatments of morphology and internal crystal structure along with extensively revised chapters on mineral chemistry and physical properties. Includes outstanding illustrations, hand specimen photographs and transmission electron microscope structure projects.

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Minerals and Rocks, 21st Edition
Cornelis Klein Cornelius S. Hurlbut
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MCUN2G

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One of the best books out there.......2007-09-25

Recently I have begun to study books that deal with the combination of theology and science. The reason for this is that, as I go through my seminary training, I realize that it is vitally important that I understand (as best as I can) God's creation that surrounds me. Especially when dealing with the bridge between Genesis and science. Thus when I found this book that explores the subtle nuances between Genesis 1 and 2 and science, such as the cosmology and theology of the Big Bang, God's relation to the science of relativity, among other points to ponder, I was quite happy. While I understand some of the math behind cosmology and theoretical physics, this book is easy for both the scholar of theology and science or the mere layman who wishes to understand the balance between God and science. Schroeder's work is easy to understand, comprehend, but has so much depth that you are often left breathless by the possibilities found herein the book. Schroeder is engaging, friendly, so you feel like you are sitting with him drinking a cup of tea while talking. The book is not a large book, doesn't have to be, and he doesn't waste words. You are not going to get a lot of fluff theology or science, Schroeder takes his time and makes each point poignant. I highly recommend that students of theology and/or science to pick this book up and see where it leads you-but be warned, you must have an open-mind when reading this book. If you are coming to this book with either a set presupposition (theologically speaking or scientifically speaking), then you are not going to allow yourself to learn. The only problem is that the book needs to be updated--I would like to see information on dark matter, I would like to see information on cosmic black holes, I would like to see information on the many-worlds theory. Still, a great and timely book.

No way........2007-09-08

Every culture in the world has it's own creation stories. The writer did nothing to try and tie all the creation stories from every culture in the world into this book. He only took one viewpoint of it. I'm sure as humans we would like to find a way to tie all our creation stories into known facts of science, but if this is done correctly, we must look at all creation stories from every culture in the world, Not just one. Maybe if we did that, then the ideas and viewpoints of religion and philosophy and science must at last acheive some intellectual logic and harmoney which would both help explain the universe and lead us to a more profound understanding of ourselves.

Physics and cosmology for the layperson.......2006-10-27

Dr. Schroeder enlightens readers with easily understandable wording of complex cosmological concepts. He shows that the biblical account in Genesis is in no way out of harmony with modern science. According to Galileo, the Bible has never been out of harmony with science: "The Bible teaches us how to go to heaven, not how the heavens go." Many of Schroeder's books deal with physics and God; this is a good introduction to his work. I also recommend following up with "The Hidden Face of God" and "The Science of God."

Old earth creation ('day age' version), via Big Bang, inflation, Einstein's time dilation, & punctuated equilibrium.......2006-06-12

The good: (a) easy to follow explanation of the underlying physics; (b) author got all his degrees including his two PhD's from MIT, and thus is well qualified; and (c) the book brings to light a lot of the wisdom of ancient Jewish scholars.

The bad: (a) no detailed explanation on how via Einstein's time dilation, the six 24-hour days of the Genesis account syncs with the 15 billion years given by modern cosmology; (b) no reconciliation given on the conflict of the sequence of the formation of the Earth vs. the stars [i.e., per the Bible vs. modern cosmology]; (c) no mention of the 'distant starlight' problem; and (d) no reference to the New Testament whatsoever.

The last point is understandable given that Schroeder is Jewish.

On the other hand, given that Schroeder's main thesis is that the period before the Creation is unknowable, and given on the other hand that there's a lot of New Testament references to the period before the creation of the world, Schroeder to the Christian robbed himself of what would have been a treasure trove of information.

The bottomline: it's a good read for anybody interested in the latest scientific formulation of the old earth ('day age') creation view of the Bible.

GREAT READ.......2006-02-23

I am currently finishing one of his other books. In all I have read 3. I think Dr. Schroeder aproach is very good. I do not have a back ground in physics but I am thinking of maybe taking some classes to continue on what I have read.

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Genesis and the Big Bang
Chuck Missler
Manufacturer: Koinonia House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 1578213002

Genesis and the Big Bang: The Discovery of Harmony Between Modern Science & the Bible

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Genesis and the Big Bang: The Discovery of Harmony Between Modern Science & the Bible
Gerald Schroeder
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0553070835
Release Date: 1990-09-01

Big Bang, El - La Genesis de Nuestra Cosmologia Actual

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Big Bang, El - La Genesis de Nuestra Cosmologia Actual
Alejandro Gangui
Manufacturer: Eudeba
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Astronomy | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books

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Genesis and the Big Bang: The Discovery of Harmony Between Modern

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Genesis and the Big Bang: The Discovery of Harmony Between Modern
Gerald L. Schroeder
Manufacturer: RANDOM HOUSE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WSSKWU

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Errors? Who said there were errors?
One More Review: And Before the Big Bang?
The big picture of the Big Bang

Genesis of the Big Bang
Ralph A. Alpher , and Robert Herman
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

The authors of this volume have been intimately connected with the conception of the Big Bang model since 1947. Following the late George Gamow's ideas in 1942 and more particularly in 1946 that the early universe was an appropriate site for the synthesis of the elements, they became deeply involved in the question of cosmic nucleosynthesis and particularly the synthesis of the light elements. In the course of this work they developed a general relativistic model of the expanding universe with physics folded in, which led in a progressive, logical sequence to our prediction of the existence of a present cosmic background radiation some seventeen years before the observation of such radiation was reported by Penzias and Wilson. In addition, they carried out with James W. Follin, Jr., a detailed study of the physics of what was then considered to be the very early universe, starting a few seconds after the Big Bang, which still provides a methodology for studies of light element nucleosynthesis. Because of their involvement, they bring a personal perspective to the subject. They present a picture of what is now believed to be the state of knowledge about the evolution of the expanding universe and delineate the story of the development of the Big Bang model as they have seen and lived it from their own unique vantage point.

Customer Reviews:

Errors? Who said there were errors?.......2004-08-12

I could say more about this book, but you might wish to read it first, along with the techincal material in the Appendix...

As with all such books, there is an error here and there, despite a gang of proofreaders unpaid by me.

If interested in the errata, please contact my son at AlpherV (aol).

Meanwhile, please enjoy one of the interesting who-did-what's of the 20th century.

One More Review: And Before the Big Bang?.......2004-02-23

If you're interested in the Big Bang, I can tell you, there is more to come. What happened before that singularity?

After the Big Bang--well, there is no better description that that written by the man who described it, who calculated all of the important equations on a slide rule! I wasn't there, but I was close--he is, after all, my father.

And, when I was ten, this very humble scientist, considered by many one of the great scientists of the 20th century, had his predictions of the cosmic blackbody background radiation confirmed by accident by two physicists working for the then Bell Labs in New Jersey. Those two men received the Nobel Prize. Not that Alpher and Herman were not nominated at times, frequently. It just so happens the Nobel is never awarde to FOUR people. Every other important Physics recognition--has gone to Alpher and Herman.

However, the most original work was from Ralph A. Alpher. A student of George Gamow, the colorful Russian physicist at George Washington University, this work was his SECOND doctoral dissertation. The solution to the problem of his first dissertaiton was published before he could defend it.

At his defense of this dissertation--there were news media, journalists, as well as his doctoral committee. It was a public event, and even the great cartoonist Herblock published a cartoon relating to the most significant cosmological PREDICTION of the 20th century, perhaps in all of Astronomy up to that time.

And that was confirmed, and as a trained scientist, I can say, that's a pretty nifty occurrence. Robert Herman, coauthor of this book, was my father's constant intellectual companion from the 1940s through the 1990s. Nonetheless, he is recognized as a coauthor, and Ralph A. Alpher would say deservedly so. I can also say, it helps to have intellectual colleagues.

I've read many, many other versions of this great story in cosmology over the years, and many of them are flatly wrong. Ralph Alpher was certainly always available to tell his story, but this book became the crowning achievement. I've read the proofs and the book itself, and I heartily endorse it, because is is a great story in science, although a bit heftier than "The Double Helix" by Watson and Crick about the race to find the code we now know as DNA.

However, on the Big Bang, there was no particular race. Yet today, we're on the verge of another great debate regarding creationism and the origin of man, and Clarence Darrow will possibly be watching in amusement. No doubt also will George Gamow. And many Nobel prize winners have had the fortunate opportunity to know my father.

Today, however, Dr. Alpher is working on that nagging question, what DID happen before the Big Bang. Being a theoretical physicist, and tending to make predictions and hypothecate (after all, the atom was long merely a hypothetical particle)...well, confirmation of what is to come may take a little time.

And, as usual, we can expect a little academic political intrigue as well. This book sets that record as clearly as anyone at the source could. And it is a work of passion, I can attest to that.

A great read for anyone who thinks about our origins and our future. Highly recommended.

The big picture of the Big Bang.......2001-05-18

Did you ever think you could see further if you stood on the shoulders of a giant? Here's your chance. These authors have been involved with cosmological investigations for over 50 years. They explain the theory of the Big Bang for the layman but with enough detail to challenge the non-specialist. (The non-specialists will probably want to skip the appendices but if one wants to get a flavor of the deep thinking involved in Big Bang research the appendices opens that door.)

The authors are not short on details and their recollection of personal experiences during their scientific endeavors makes the book most interesting. These authors are not merely reporting on what others are doing but rather reflecting on their own personal critical investigations and presenting their opinion on subsequent research endeavors. They have been observers and critics of the evolution of cosmological investigations for essentially their whole careers. Thus they have strong opinions which are expressed unambiguously. I would expect that some would disagree with their opinions but to me this clear expression of these opinions is refreshing. But to their credit these opinions are presented clearly as their opinions so that the reader can explore the issues and disagree to their hearts content.

As a non-physicist, I had read enough to understand that the abundance of the light elements was created according to the Big Bang theory during the primeval evolution of the universe. And further that the heavier elements up to iron were created in the heart of collapsing stars but had never quite understood why this was the case. The authors discussion and presentation of data on the binding energy of the elements made this reasonably understandable to me. I mention this because I want to emphasize how the authors present a broad overview of a very complex physics problem with clear discussions but in addition give sufficient data to support understanding by the layman. Thus this book is not an easy read for the layman but rather is a challenging and invigorating experience for the amateur physicist who loves to try to understand the universe we live in.

The book includes an expert review of most of the evolving developments in the field of cosmology since their seminal work in the late forties. They present a broad overview of the concept of inflation in the early universe and express their view that this remains an open question. For those interested in the "why" question, there is a brief chapter on the Anthropic Principle. But to me it seems clear that the authors are by far more interested in the "how" issues rather than the "why" issues.

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Cross Currents, published by Thomson Gale on March 22, 2007. The length of the article is 3068 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: Genesis meets the Big Bang and evolution, absent design.
Author: Laura E. Bothwell
Publication: Cross Currents (Newsletter)
Date: March 22, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 57 Issue: 1 Page: 10(8)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Creation Genesis the Big Bang and Evolution

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Creation Genesis the Big Bang and Evolution
John Wend
Manufacturer: Churchill PC Systems
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0932223079

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El Genesis y El Big Bang
Gerald Schroeder
Manufacturer: Ediciones B
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Genesis & the Big Bang
Gerald L. Schroeder
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IN8I44

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Actual or allegorical?

A good title does not a good book make

Riveting...but ultimately disappointing

A Melancholy Tale

Compelling

The Divine Economy of Salvation

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HWYOXA

Amazon.com

Although we all remember the small cruelties of our teenage years, Sister Angela has darker secrets than most. And when a heavy package lacking a return address is sent to her Ottawa convent, she knows without opening it what it will contain. In her languorously written novel, The Divine Economy of Salvation, Priscila Uppal explores the shadow worlds of guilt, fear, and atonement. For 25 years, Angela has been dreading exposure for her role in a hazing ritual that went horribly awry. Her need to hide adds another metaphoric layer to her choice to "take the veil." It is no irony, perhaps, that her adolescent clique at boarding school was called The Sisterhood, for Angela has only moved from one cloistered existence to another, a balanced equation in The Divine Economy of Salvation. The arrival of the package is followed by the appearance at the convent of Kim, a homeless pregnant girl, who is assigned to work with Angela. True redemption, in the terms of this excellent debut novel, requires more than a backward glance. --Regina Marler

Book Description

When Sister Angela receives an anonymous package containing an ornate silver candlestick, an object she hasn't seen in twenty-five years, her safe and secure life begins to shatter. Suddenly, she must confront her darkest secret: her participation in a crime from which she can no longer hide. As she sets about discovering who sent her the package, memories of St. X. School for Girls come back to haunt her.

At the center is a group of girls who call themselves The Sisterhood, from whom fourteen-year-old Angela desperately seeks comfort and approval. Saddened by her mother's declining health and her father's abandonment, Angela looks up to the group's beautiful and alluring leader, Rachel. When she is encouraged by Rachel to play a joke on another student, the rituals of The Sisterhood take a violent turn. Now, from within the safe refuge of her convent and with the unexpected help of a young pregnant girl, Angela at last faces the truth-and the boundaries of faith.

In the tradition of The Secret History and Lying Awake, The Divine Economy of Salvation is a dark, powerful, and suspenseful story that captures the innocence and cruelty of adolescence and the mysteries of adulthood.

Customer Reviews:

Actual or allegorical?.......2003-04-05

I too felt that there were many loose ends, unexplained people and events and an unsatisfactory ending to "the Divine Economy of Salvation". A compelling read, but one that left me wondering if I had only approached it with more thought, it would have felt more complete. Could Uppal possibly have intended this to be something the reader personalized ~ leaving the option of filling in the blanks with their own stories of coming to terms with the same issues of choice, identity, transition and growth? Angela the woman, not fully committed to the NOW because of her THEN. Making adult sense of the the family and school relationships and secrets experienced as a child. As a religious, moving between the habit and secular clothing,her community wondering how to keep their foundational values revelant to the needs of today. How to integrate the facts of what happened with the truths that the events held, the impact that they had at the time and in the present. Our past is always with us, coming into our life in different ways, with different results; never destroyed, but put to use and reinterred in a (hopefully) better place, leaving us healthier and more integrated. It is a somewhat surreal book that makes the reader ponder and for that reason, is of value.

A good title does not a good book make.......2003-03-26

Sigh. This book falls into the same category as "The Lake of Dead Languages" in a couple ways--A. An interesting, somewhat obscure title, B. dark doings at an all-girls' school. Unfortunately, they also share in my ultimate disdain. Uppal's tale of pain and betrayal shows a lot of promise at the start that it fails miserably to deliver. The first third is actually pretty good (hence, even a single star), but starting with Angela's sister's admittance of hatred for her (huh? what happened here? We're presented with a character with an interesting set of issues who then disappears from the book without any indication as to why she reacts to Angela the way she does!) the story starts to unravel into a somewhat well-written mess. After what turns out to be a book-long red herring, the whole mystery of the candlestick never actually resolves; the ending, as others here have noted, is enough to give a person whiplash. Finally, on another subject altogether, I was amazed at how a story that takes place in a religious setting could be so Godless. Angela it seems became a nun to punish herself (which could have been interesting if it had been authentically explored) and even her mother's faith, which one assumes was genuine, seemed hollow to me. I couldn't help but feeling that this author was writing about something that she doesn't know much about. Save yourself from this book and if you want to read about children turning on each other, read "The Lord of the Flies." Or just find a book with a less interesting title and better crafted plot.

Riveting...but ultimately disappointing.......2003-02-13

The jacket of this book compares it to William Golding's "Lord of the Flies", and that was reason enough for me to check it out. For the days following I was completely engrossed in The Divine Economy of Salvation, whining when I had to put it down to go to work and eagerly picking it up when I returned home. Sadly, while the book is indeed engrossing and memorable, it is also one of those novels which is ultimately ruined by an unsatisfying conclusion.

I absolutely agree with Louis's review below that says that the book ends too abruptly. Uppal does an admirable job of setting things up and drawing the reader into Sister Angela's world, but I think she needed to include maybe one more "minor" incident establishing character before the big (and incredibly violent) climactic scene.

In the last fifty pages or so of the novel, I felt like characters I knew well were behaving in ways that I couldn't *quite* believe them capable of. So just when I should have been most engrossed in the novel I was instead pulling back and saying, "Wait a second...there's no way they would do that." There's nothing worse than getting such a strong reminder that characters you've invested hundreds of pages in getting to know are not real people.

Even having said that, this is a really strong first novel, and Uppal does show a real gift at establishing mood and suspense. I'll definitely pick up her next book--I just feel like this one could really have used a little more polish.

A Melancholy Tale.......2003-02-10

Sister Angela's comfortable life in the convent begins to unravel when she receives an anonymous package, a gift that links her to her early life as an adolescent in a Catholic boarding school, and the part she played in a terrible, tragic incident.

Now she must confront her past, her loss of innocence, her unfinished grief for her mother's death, and her fears of being exposed. And at the same time, she is dealing with a young pregnant girl who has arrived at the convent and somehow become Angela's ward.

Uppal is a polished writer who skillfully draws the reader in to Angela's inner struggles, moving easily between past and present to create a dreamlike, brooding reality. Yet, somehow it does not quite ring true. There are too many loose ends, unexplored characters, leads that go nowhere. And the ending, the redemption, at the very end of the book--well--it doesn't make sense. I was left with a feeling that the author simply wrapped up the story because she didn't know how to end it.

A powerful book, and worth exploring, but it could have been better. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber

Compelling.......2002-10-22

I found Sister Angela's story fascinating. The story begins with a brief description of Sister Angela's duties within the convent. When she receives the silver candle holder, she begins going back in time and telling us the story of her life when she was 14 - her mother was ill, she and her sister, Christine, are separated and sent to Catholic schools away from home. The story of how Angela copes (with her mother's illness and feelings of homesickness, worry, and loneliness) - her feelings about the friends she makes in "the Sisterhood" and the things these friends do together, is engrossing to read - compelling without being overly dramatic or exaggerated. The tragedies of Angela's life are withheld from the reader at first, making it feel like a sort of mystery needs to be solved. Gradually, what she seems to be hiding from, unwilling (or unable) to face - all unravels in a bit of a hurry, and while I understood most of what was going on, I was left a little uncertain and still curious about how some of these problems were resolved (esp. with the less traumatic issues such as Angela's relationship with her sister and father, but also with characters surrounding the mystery of the candle holder) - then again, maybe that's how the author intended to leave the reader - with a realistic sense of some things just not being able to be resolved, but with Angela's sense of hope and focus on life.

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