Morphological Analysis of Cultural DNA


Book Description

This volume describes research in computational design which implements shape grammars or space syntax for morphological analysis, applying these scientific and rule-based methodologies to cultural aspects of the field. The term ‘cultural DNA’ describes the effort to explore computational design from the perspectives of a meme, a socio-cultural analogy to genes. Based on the 1st Cultural DNA Workshop, held at KAIST, Daejeon, Korea in 2015, the book considers whether there is such a thing as a ‘cultural DNA’ common throughout various domains, and if so how computer-assisted tools and methodologies play a role in its investigation. Following an introduction covering some fundamental theories of cultural DNA research, part two of the book describes morphological analysis in architecture, with examples from Malaysia and China. Part three then moves up to morphological analysis at the urban scale, including discussion of morphological evolution in France, development of a model Korean city, and introducing a rule-based generative analysis approach for urban planning. Part four considers methods for analysing the DNA of other cultural artefacts such as online games, novels, cars, and music, and part five introduces the tools under development that aid morphological cultural DNA research including topics about shape grammar, building information modeling (BIM), cultural persona, and prototyping. The book will be of significant interest to those involved in the cultural aspects of urban and architectural design, cultural informatics and design research.




Cultural DNA


Book Description

Develop deeper cultural intelligence to thrive in a globalized world. Cultural DNA is a thought provoking book for successful engagement with cultures around the world. Written by Gurnek Bains, founder and chairman of a global business psychology consultancy, this book guides leaders through the essential soft skills required to get under the skin and engage an increasingly connected world. Presenting ground breaking original research and the latest evidence from neuroscience, behavioral genetics, and psychology, the deepest instincts of eight key global cultures are dissected. Readers will understand the psychological themes at play in regions such as the U.S., Latin America, Europe, China, India, the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa and Australia. Additionally, an extensive database of 30,000 leaders provides insights to inform the reader. The book addresses questions such as: What are the challenges for leaders from different regions as they move into onto the global stage? Why are Americans so positive? Why is China a world leader in manufacturing and India in IT? Why do overseas firms struggle in the U.S. market place? What are the emotional forces driving current events in the Middle East? Each culture has attributes that developed over thousands of years to address unique environmental challenges. This DNA drumbeat from the past reverberates through each society affecting everything. As globalization marches on we can also learn important lessons from the world’s distinct societies. Globalization demands that cultures learn to work within each other's needs and expectations, and the right mix of people skills, business acumen, and cultural awareness is key. Business and Political leaders will understand how each regions’ cultural DNA influences: Its economic and political institutions. People’s underlying consumer psychology. The soft skills needed to lead in that environment. How to best release people’s potential. The issues that need to be managed to anticipate and solve problems before they arise Every now and again a new book comes along, that is a must read: Malcolm Gladwell’s Tipping Point or a Seth Godin’s Tribes. Cultural DNA by Gurnek Bains, by virtue of its depth, originality and ambition, is that very book for all global leaders.




A New Perspective of Cultural DNA


Book Description

This book presents selected papers from the 3rd Cultural DNA Workshop. Contributed by prominent computational design experts in the fields of mechanical engineering and architectural design, they mainly focus on the design process; shape grammars as a valuable tool; and the analysis of cultural values. The book offers readers fresh viewpoints on computational design. and helps researchers in academy and practitioners in industry to learn more evolved cultural DNA knowledge which is newly interpreted and conceptually reinforced in areas of mechanical engineering and architectural engineering.




Modern Bioelectricity


Book Description

This book presents an overview of the field of bioelectricity by demonstrating the biological significance of electromagnetic fields, electrical properties of tissue, biological effects of electromagnetic energy, and therapeutic applications and health hazards of electromagnetic energy.







Cell-Cycle Synchronization


Book Description

This volume covers a broad range of cell types including cultured cell lines, primary cells, and various unicellular organisms such as fission yeast, budding yeast, parasite Leishmania amazonensis, and parasite Trypanosoma brucei. The chapters in this book are organized into four parts. Part One looks at a general overview of cell cycle control and synchronization. Part Two discusses techniques to synchronize mammalian cells to various cell cycle phases including mitotic sub-phases. Part Three covers synchronization of unicellular organisms and Part Four analyzes cell cycle progression. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and thorough, Cell-Cycle Synchronization: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for both novice and expert scientists in this developing field.




Autophagy in Disease and Clinical Applications, Part C


Book Description

The third and final installment of Daniel J. Klionsky's new three-volume treatment of autophagy, this volume focuses on monitoring autophagy with regard to disease connections, and presents methods that can be used to analyze autophagy in clinical samples. Edited by one of the leading authorities in the field, this volume and its companion volumes, Autophagy: Lower Eukaryotes and Autophagy in Mammalian Systems, provide a comprehensive overview of the techniques involved in studying autophagy in eukaryotes and simple animal systems, mammalian cells and non-human animals, and humans. Particularly in times of stress, like starvation and disease, higher organisms have an internal mechanism in their cells for chewing up and recycling parts of themselves. The process of internal "house cleaning in the cell is called autophagy – literally self-eating. In the future, research in this field will help to design clinical approaches that can turn on autophagy and halt tumor growth. - Provides an overview of autophagy in regards to humans, specifically regarding disease connections and clinical samples - Includes methods to evaluate the role of autophagy in the drug-induced cell death of cancer cells in culture - Presents reliable methods that, in this relatively new field, allow the reader to find appropriate techniques to identify, monitor, and quantify autophagic processes




Plant Tissue Culture and Moelcular Markers


Book Description

Plant tissue culture techniques help in understanding basic life processes, which is essential to improving crop productivity. Furthermore, recently molecular biology has assumed great importance with respect to plant biotechnology. This book combines all three aspects into one with a focus on practical applications of various techniques. It discusses micropropagation studies on several crop plants, the molecular basis of understanding various life processes including the molecular basis of somatic embryogenesis, and other physiological and biochemical processes having significant biotechnological applications. It also covers in vitro studies of certain important plants like Aloe vera, Simmondsia chinensis, Anacyclus pyrethrum and Crataeva nurvala, Arachis hypogaea L., Phoenix dactylifera, Dendrocalamus asper, Asparagus adescendens Roxb., natural products of plant origin with their therapeutic potential and biotechnological production, as well as genome analysis of crop plants with future applications in biotechnology.




Repatriation, Science and Identity


Book Description

Repatriation, Science, and Identity explores the entanglement of race, history, identity and ethics inherent in the application of scientific techniques to determine the provenance of Indigenous Ancestral Remains in repatriation claims and processes. The book considers how these issues relate to collections of Indigenous Ancestral (bodily) Remains but also their resonance with emerging concerns about the relatively unknown history of scientific interest in Indigenous hair and blood samples. It also explores the more recent practice of sampling for the purposes of DNA analysis and issues concerning the data that has been produced from all of the above types of research. Placing recent interest in applying scientific techniques to repatriation in their historical context, it enables discourses of identity and scientific authority, an assessment of their efficacy and an exploration of ethical and practical challenges and opportunities. In doing so, this book reveals new histories about scientific interest in Indigenous biology and the collections that resulted, as well as providing reflection for all repatriation practitioners considering scientific investigation when faced with the challenges inherent in the repatriation of unprovenanced or poorly provenanced Ancestral Remains. Providing the reader with a means to approach the value, or otherwise, of the scientific information they may encounter, Repatriation, Science, and Identity is an invaluable resource for researchers and professionals working with Indigenous Ancestral Remains.




Genetic Nature/Culture


Book Description

The so-called science wars pit science against culture, and nowhere is the struggle more contentious—or more fraught with paradox—than in the burgeoning realm of genetics. A constructive response, and a welcome intervention, this volume brings together biological and cultural anthropologists to conduct an interdisciplinary dialogue that provokes and instructs even as it bridges the science/culture divide. Individual essays address issues raised by the science, politics, and history of race, evolution, and identity; genetically modified organisms and genetic diseases; gene work and ethics; and the boundary between humans and animals. The result is an entree to the complicated nexus of questions prompted by the power and importance of genetics and genetic thinking, and the dynamic connections linking culture, biology, nature, and technoscience. The volume offers critical perspectives on science and culture, with contributions that span disciplinary divisions and arguments grounded in both biological perspectives and cultural analysis. An invaluable resource and a provocative introduction to new research and thinking on the uses and study of genetics, Genetic Nature/Culture is a model of fruitful dialogue, presenting the quandaries faced by scholars on both sides of the two-cultures debate.