Calculating Brilliance


Book Description

This book contextualizes the discovery of a Venus astronomical pattern by a female Mayan astronomer at Chich'en Itza and the discovery's later adaptation and application at Mayapan. Calculating Brilliance brings different intellectual threads together across time and space, from the Classic to the Postclassic, the colonial period to the twenty-first century to offer a new vision for understanding Mayan astronomy.




The Calculating Stars


Book Description

Mary Robinette Kowal's science fiction debut, 2019 Winner of the Hugo and Nebula Award for best novel, The Calculating Stars, explores the premise behind her award-winning "Lady Astronaut of Mars." Winner 2018 Nebula Award for Best Novel Winner 2019 Locus Award for Best Novel Winner 2019 Hugo Award for Best Novel Finalist 2019 Campbell Memorial Award Finalist 2021 Hugo Award for Best Series Named one of Esquire's 75 Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time Locus Trade Paperback Bestseller List Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2018—Science Fiction/Fantasy Winner 2019 RUSA Reading List for Science Fiction—American Library Association Locus 2018 Recommended Reading List Buzzfeed—17 Science-Fiction Novels By Women That Are Out Of This World Locus Bestseller List Chicago Review of Books—Top 10 Science Fiction Books of 2018 Goodreads—Most Popular Books Published in July 2018 (#66) The Verge—12 fantastic science fiction and fantasy novels for July 2018 Unbound Worlds—Best SciFi and Fantasy Books of July 2018 Den of Geek—Best Science Fiction Books of June 2018 Publishers Weekly—Best SFF Books of 2018 Omnivoracious—15 Highly Anticipated SFF Reads for Summer 2018 Past Magazine—Best Novels of 2018 Bookriot—Best Science Fiction Books of 2018 The Library Thing—Top Five Books of 2018 On a cold spring night in 1952, a huge meteorite fell to earth and obliterated much of the east coast of the United States, including Washington D.C. The ensuing climate cataclysm will soon render the earth inhospitable for humanity, as the last such meteorite did for the dinosaurs. This looming threat calls for a radically accelerated effort to colonize space, and requires a much larger share of humanity to take part in the process. Elma York’s experience as a WASP pilot and mathematician earns her a place in the International Aerospace Coalition’s attempts to put man on the moon, as a calculator. But with so many skilled and experienced women pilots and scientists involved with the program, it doesn’t take long before Elma begins to wonder why they can’t go into space, too. Elma’s drive to become the first Lady Astronaut is so strong that even the most dearly held conventions of society may not stand a chance against her. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.




An Introduction to Synchrotron Radiation


Book Description

The updated guide to the fundamental concepts, techniques and applications of synchrotron radiation and its applications in this rapidly developing field Synchrotron light is recognized as an invaluable research tool by a broad spectrum of scientists, ranging from physicists to biologists and archaeologists. The comprehensively revised second edition of An Introduction to Synchrotron Radiation offers a guide to the basic concepts of the generation and manipulation of synchrotron light, its interaction with matter and the application of synchrotron light in x-ray scattering, spectroscopy, and imaging. The author, a noted expert in the field, reviews the fundamentals of important experimental methods, and explores the most recent technological advances in both the latest generation of x-ray sources and x-ray instrumentation. Designed to be an accessible resource, the book contains full-colour illustrations of the underlying physics and experimental applications, as well as the most commonly-used synchrotron techniques. In particular, the updated second edition now includes: In-depth descriptions of the latest x-ray-source technologies, notably diffraction-limited storage rings and x-ray free-electron lasers The latest advances in instrumentation, x-ray optics, and experimental methods in synchrotron radiation The most recent developments in macromolecular crystallography, time-resolved studies, and imaging techniques A comprehensive set of problems for each chapter, plus their ideal solutions in the appendices. Written for undergraduate and postgraduate students from all areas of the natural and physical sciences, An Introduction to Synchrotron Radiation, Second Edition is an invaluable up-to-date reference source in this highly multidisciplinary field. PowerPoint slides of all the figures within the text are available for download, for instructors and users of this book, at http://booksupport.wiley.com




Calculating a Natural World


Book Description

How the complex interplay of academic, commercial, and military interests produced an intense period of scientific discovery and technological innovation in computing during the Cold War.




Out of the Labyrinth


Book Description

“In this sparkling narrative, mathematics is indeed set free.” -Michael Shermer, author of The Believing Brain In classrooms around the world, Robert and Ellen Kaplan's pioneering Math Circle program, begun at Harvard, has introduced students ages six to sixty to the pleasures of mathematics, exploring topics that range from Roman numerals to quantum mechanics. In Out of the Labyrinth, the Kaplans reveal the secrets of their highly successful approach, which embraces the exhilarating joy of math's “accessible mysteries.” Stocked with puzzles, colorful anecdotes, and insights from the authors' own teaching experience, Out of the Labyrinth is both an engaging and practical guide for parents and educators, and a treasure chest of mathematical discoveries. For any reader who has felt the excitement of mathematical discovery-or tried to convey it to someone else-this volume will be a delightful and valued companion.







Dynamics of Systems on the Nanoscale


Book Description

This book presents the structure formation and dynamics of animate and inanimate matter on the nanometre scale. This is a new interdisciplinary field known as Meso-Bio-Nano (MBN) science that lies at the intersection of physics, chemistry, biology and material science. Special attention in the book is devoted to investigations of the structure, properties and dynamics of complex MBN systems by means of photonic, electronic, heavy particle and atomic collisions. This includes problems of fusion and fission, fragmentation, surfaces and interfaces, reactivity, nanoscale phase and morphological transitions, irradiation-driven transformations of complex molecular systems, collective electron excitations, radiation damage and biodamage, channeling phenomena and many more. Emphasis in the book is placed on the theoretical and computational physics research advances in these areas and related state-of-the-art experiments. Particular attention in the book is devoted to the utilization of advanced computational techniques and high-performance computing in studies of the dynamics of systems.




A Passion for Mathematics


Book Description

A Passion for Mathematics is an educational, entertaining trip through the curiosities of the math world, blending an eclectic mix of history, biography, philosophy, number theory, geometry, probability, huge numbers, and mind-bending problems into a delightfully compelling collection that is sure to please math buffs, students, and experienced mathematicians alike. In each chapter, Clifford Pickover provides factoids, anecdotes, definitions, quotations, and captivating challenges that range from fun, quirky puzzles to insanely difficult problems. Readers will encounter mad mathematicians, strange number sequences, obstinate numbers, curious constants, magic squares, fractal geese, monkeys typing Hamlet, infinity, and much, much more. A Passion for Mathematics will feed readers’ fascination while giving them problem-solving skills a great workout!




AstroLit


Book Description

A unique, illustrated introduction to astrology that explores the zodiac through a literary lens, drawing lessons from celebrated authors including Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, W.E.B. Du Bois, Nella Larsen, Oscar Wilde, and dozens more. AstroLit is a cosmic voyage through the lives and works of literary giants from the eighteenth, nineteenth, and early twentieth centuries. Renowned literary history scholars McCormick Templeman and Rachel Feder bring the twelve signs of the zodiac to glimmering life by analyzing the astrological influence of over fifty illustrious writers' sun signs on the shape and depth of their work. Each of the twelve sections focuses on a particular zodiac sign, featuring profiles of three celebrated authors, analyzing their works and lives through the prism of their astrological sign. You'll uncover connections between writers' signs and their realms of creative influence, including the Capricornian ambition of Edgar Allan Poe and Zora Neale Hurston, the Sagittarian influence on William Blake's The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, and the Taurean gothiness evident in Mary Wollstonecraft's work. Each chapter also includes writing advice and reading recommendations for readers, no matter your sign. A delight for both astrology and book lovers, AstroLit is a gratifying exploration of classic literature and a playful way for readers and astrology lovers to learn something new about their favorite authors.




Reading Modern Drama


Book Description

Exploring the relationship between dramatic language and its theatrical aspects, Reading Modern Drama provides an accessible entry point for general readers and academics into the world of contemporary theatre scholarship. This collection promotes the use of diverse perspectives and critical methods to explore the common theme of language as well as the continued relevance of modern drama in our lives. Reading Modern Drama offers provocative close readings of both canonical and lesser-known plays, from Hedda Gabler to e.e. cummings' Him. Taken together, these essays enter into an ongoing, fruitful debate about the terms 'modern' and 'drama' and build a much-needed bridge between literary studies and performance studies.