The Origin and Evolution of Larval Forms

Book Description

Larvae represent one of the classic problems of evolutionary biology and may explain how new body plans originate. It has often been suggested that many entirely unique body plans first originated as retained larvae of ancestral organisms.
This book covers larval evolution and the developmental and evolutionary forces which shape and constrain them. Intended to contribute to a continuing dialectic, this book represents diverse opinions as well as manifold conclusions from an international team of leading zoologists and developmental biologists. Certain to challenge and intrigue, this book should be a part of the library of every evolutionary and developmental biologist interested in larvae and their significance.

Key Features
* Examines how vertebrate and invertebrate larvae develop and evolve
* Presents four themes: development, evolution, metamorphosis, and genetic mechanisms
* Chapters are organized into three sections: larval types and larval evolution, mechanisms of larval development and evolution, and larval functional morphology, physiology, and ecology

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The Origins of Larvae
D. Williamson
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1402015143

Book Description

Many biological facts are irreconcilable with the assumption that larvae and adults evolved from the same genetic stock. The author of this book draws attention to these, and presents his alternative hypothesis that larvae have been transferred from one taxon to another.

In his previous book (Larvae and Evolution, 1992), the author used larval transfer to explain developmental anomalies in eight animal phyla. In the present book, he claims that the basic forms of all larvae and all embryos have been transferred from foreign taxa. This leads to a new, comprehensive theory on the origin of embryos and larvae, replacing the discredited 'recapitulation' theory of Haeckel (1866). Metamorphosis, previously unexplained, represents a change in taxon during development.

The butterfly/larva flora: With a theory of Calisto (Satyridae) origin and endomicity : eighth contribution on the larvae and/or larval host-plants of Hispaniolan butterflies

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The butterfly/larva flora: With a theory of Calisto (Satyridae) origin and endomicity : eighth contribution on the larvae and/or larval host-plants of Hispaniolan butterflies
David Kenneth Wetherbee
Manufacturer: D.K. Wetherbee
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

The Tenebrionidae of Southern Africa, XLIII: Description of some larvae of the Zophosini with observations on the possible origin of phylogenetic evolution ... (Annals of the Transvaal Museum)

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The Tenebrionidae of Southern Africa, XLIII: Description of some larvae of the Zophosini with observations on the possible origin of phylogenetic evolution ... (Annals of the Transvaal Museum)
Lieselotte Schulze
Manufacturer: Transvaal Museum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: B0006CWCKI

Book Description

This book examines different classical and modern aspects of geophysical data processing and inversion with emphasis on the processing of seismic records in applied seismology.

Chapter 1 introduces basic concepts including: probability theory (expectation operator and ensemble statistics), elementary principles of parameter estimation, Fourier and z-transform essentials, and issues of orthogonality. In Chapter 2, the linear treatment of time series is provided. Particular attention is paid to Wold decomposition theorem and time series models (AR, MA, and ARMA) and their connection to seismic data analysis problems. Chapter 3 introduces concepts of Information theory and contains a synopsis of those topics that are used throughout the book. Examples are entropy, conditional entropy, Burg's maximum entropy spectral estimator, and mutual information. Chapter 4 provides a description of inverse problems first from a deterministic point of view, then from a probabilistic one. Chapter 5 deals with methods to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of seismic records. Concepts from previous chapters are put in practice for designing prediction error filters for noise attenuation and high-resolution Radon operators. Chapter 6 deals with the topic of deconvolution and the inversion of acoustic impedance. The first part discusses band-limited extrapolation assuming a known wavelet and considers the issue of wavelet estimation. The second part deals with sparse deconvolution using various 'entropy' type norms. Finally, Chapter 7 introduces recent topics of interest to the authors.

Book Description

In many physical sciences, the most natural description of a system is with a function of position or time. In principle, infinitely many numbers are needed to specify that function, but in practice only finitely many measurements can be made. Inverse theory concerns the mathematical techniques that enable researchers to use the available information to build a model of the unknown system or to determine its essential properties. In Geophysical Inverse Theory, Robert Parker provides a systematic development of inverse theory at the graduate and professional level that emphasizes a rigorous yet practical solution of inverse problems, with examples from experimental observations in geomagnetism, seismology, gravity, electromagnetic sounding, and interpolation. Although illustrated with examples from geophysics, this book has broad implications for researchers in applied disciplines from materials science and engineering to astrophysics, oceanography, and meteorology.

Parker's approach is to avoid artificial statistical constructs and to emphasize instead the reasonable assumptions researchers must make to reduce the ambiguity that inevitably arises in complex problems. The structure of the book follows a natural division in the subject into linear theory, in which the measured quantities are linear functionals of the unknown models, and nonlinear theory, which covers all other systems but is not nearly so well understood. The book covers model selection as well as techniques for drawing firm conclusions about the earth independent of any particular model.

Customer Reviews:

Not very accessible.......2004-02-16

Although this textbook contains some very useful material, I've found that it really isn't adequate as a textbook for a first course on inverse problems for graduate students in the earth sciences.

Students in my class found the presentation too theoretical, and couldn't relate the material in the book to their own research projects. In particular, many of them found that the book made use of too much advanced mathematics without adequate explanation. Many of the exercises in the book are extremely challenging, but there aren't enough relatively simple exercises to help students build confidence in their understanding of the material. In order to be prepared for this text, students need to have a strong background in linear algebra, numerical computing, and some understanding of basic ideas in functional analysis.

On the other hand, I've found this book to be a useful reference in my own research.

Delightful mix of theory and practice.......1999-10-28

This book presents inverse theory in gradual steps with practical problems presented at each level. Chapter 1 provides a good theoretical basis for what follows so that the book is (reasonably) self-contained.

Book Description

This book represents the most comprehensive description of the physical foundations of methods and instruments in the fields of passive remote sensing applied to investigations of the Earth, Solar system bodies and space. Emphasis is placed on the physical aspects necessary to judge the possibilities and limitations of passive remote sensing methods in specific observation cases. Numerous practical applications and illustrations are given referring to airspace up-to-date experiments. Due to the lack in traditional separation on methods and instruments of remote sensing of the Earth and outerterrestrial space this book aims to supply more information in this field.

Pragmatic Inversion of Geophysical Data (Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences)

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Pragmatic Inversion of Geophysical Data (Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences)
Sven-Erik Hjelt
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Seismic Amplitude Inversion in Reflection Tomography (Handbook of Geophysical Exploration: Seismic Exploration)

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Seismic Amplitude Inversion in Reflection Tomography (Handbook of Geophysical Exploration: Seismic Exploration)
Y. Wang
Manufacturer: Pergamon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0080442439

Book Description

This is the first book of its kind on seismic amplitude inversion in the context of reflection tomography. The aim of the monograph is to advocate the use of ray-amplitude data, separately or jointly with traveltime data, in reflection seismic tomography.

The emphasis of seismic exploration is on imaging techniques, so that seismic section can be interpreted directly as a geological section. In contrast it is perhaps ironic that, in decades of industrial seismology, one major aspect of waveform data that potentially is easier to measure and analyse has generally been ignored. That is, the information content of seismic amplitudes. Perhaps the potential complexity has deterred most researchers from a more thorough investigation of the practical use of seismic amplitude data. The author of this volume presents an authoritative and detailed study of amplitude data, as used in conjunction with traveltime data, to provide better constraints on the variation of seismic wave speed in the subsurface.

Book Description

This is the first study to present simultaneously both deconvolution and inversion, two powerful tools of data analysis. Featured within this volume are various geophysical convolution models and a treatment of deconvolution for a time-varying signal. The single channel time-varying deconvolution is shown equivalent to the multichannel time-invariant deconvolution, thus a formalism and associated algorithms can handle both. Inverse theory as well as various inversion schemes are presented on the basis of a relationship between a small perturbation to the model and its effects on the observation. The information theory inversion scheme is discussed, and several types of norm of minimization presented. Additionally, concepts and results of inverse theory are applied to design a new deconvolution operator for estimating magnetization and density distribution, and the constraint of the Backus-Gilbert formalism of inverse theory is used to design a new prediction error filter for maximum entropy spectral estimates. Maximum likelihood, another high resolution method is also presented. This volume can be utilised as a graduate-level text for courses in Geophysics. Some chapters will be of use for graduate courses in Applied Mathematics, Applied Statistics, and Oceanography.

Book Description

The book develops a comprehensive understanding of the surface impedance of the oxide high-temperature superconductors in comparison with the conventional superconductor Nb3Sn. Linear and nonlinear microwave responses are treated separately, both in terms of models, theories or numerical approaches and in terms of experimental results. The theoretical treatment connects fundamental aspects of superconductivity to the specific high-frequency properties. The experimental data review the state of the art, as reported by many international groups. The book describes further the main features of appropriate preparation, handling, mounting, and refrigeration techniques, and finally discusses possible applications in passive and active microwave devices.

Book Description

Punch, Brothers, Punch contains lesser-known writings and perennial favorites that reveal and celebrate Twain's genius as a humorist.

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